Archive of Past Series

Ri Masterclasses in Data Science 2026

Session Title	Led by	Date
Lies, Damned Lies and Statistics: an Exploration of Statistical Fallacies Data is not the be all and end all when it is misused or misapplied. Sometimes this misuse is accidental, but other times it is intended to deceive. In this session, we will discover various ways data can be used to lie or support incorrect assertions, along with methods to help identify and uncover the deception.	Dr. Conor Hughes	31/01/2026
*From Puzzles to Machines that Learn: a Journey through the History of AI* What is Artificial Intelligence, and how did it all begin? In this session, we’ll take a fun tour through the history of AI: from the early days when computers were taught to solve puzzles and play games, to how they began using knowledge and reasoning, and finally to today’s world of machine learning.	Dr. Yudong Chen	07/02/2026
Do you wish to stay on top of your game? Game Theory, Strategy and Cooperative Behaviour Game theory is a broad area of mathematics with multiple applications, including economics, finance, computer science, politics, etc. It sometimes appears in films as well, a notable example being the film A Beautiful Mind, about the mathematician John Nash. In this session, we will introduce game theory, and will illustrate notions such as strategies, payoffs, Nash equilibria.	Dr. Miryana Grigorova	28/02/2026
*Rolling into Probability and Statistics: an Introduction through Games of Chance* We will explore some fundamental concepts in Probability and Statistics with some hands-on activities and games involving flipping coins and rolling dice.	Dr. Andi Wang	07/03/2026
*Introduction to Classification* Classification is the practice of assigning data to different categories, and is a fundamental question in data science across multiple domains. For example, how do financial institutions decide whether they should loan money to an individual or not, based on the person's financial credentials? How does automated handwriting recognition software decide what letter of the alphabet you have written? Judging from a patient's medical record, at what point should doctors decide the patient is at risk of a heart attack in the next twelve months, and so medical intervention is necessary? In this mini masterclass, we will discuss some of the common mathematical techniques applied to all of these problems, and how the effectiveness of various classification algorithms is evaluated.	Dr. Paul Skerritt	14/03/2026
*Mini Masterclass: Crash, Boom, Stats! Designing Experiments in the Car Sector* How do statistics help save lives? In this workshop, we’ll explore the role of experimental design in testing automobile airbags. Drawing on real-world industry experience, the speaker will show how statistical methods guide safer, smarter, and more efficient testing—from planning trials to interpreting resuls.	Prof. Tim Davis	21/03/2026
Celebration Event (Families welcome)

Ri Masterclasses in Data Science 2025

Session Title	Led by	Date
Simulate me, if you can! Dive into the art of recreating real-world phenomena through simulation, explore how to build models and estimate real-life parameters from data.	Dr. Francesca Basini	25/01/2025
*How many visual stimuli can you recognise if briefly observed?* What is the capacity of your short term memory? And would you be able to recognise a visual stimulus appearing for 20-50 milliseconds? Come along to challenge yourself and learn how, where and why stochastic processes and probability theory are used in (cognitive) psychology.	Dr. Massimiliano Tamborrino	01/02/2025
*Monte Carlo: May the Odds Be Ever in Your Favour* Monte Carlo is a powerful maths technique that uses random numbers to solve problems and make predictions. Imagine trying to find the best solution to a tricky question by rolling dice—Monte Carlo does something similar, but with way more precision! It's used in everything from predicting weather, to designing video games, to improving cancer treatments. By running thousands (or even millions!) of simulations, Monte Carlo helps us find answers when things are too complex or uncertain to solve directly.	Dr. Emma Horton	08/02/2025
*Graph Theory and Its Applications in Computer Science* Graph theory explores how things are connected: like how websites link to each other or how friends are linked on social media. In computer science, it helps solve problems like finding the quickest route or recommending content based on what you and others like you enjoy. It's also key to understanding how data can be sorted efficiently, which help organise information for faster access.	Dr. Sam Olesker-Taylor/ Dr. Elke Thonnes	01/03/2025
*Introduction to Data Analysis and Exploration with Python* Join us for an exciting, hands-on journey into the world of data analysis and exploration, tailored for young minds! Using Python as our tool, we'll dive deep into the meaning and significance of data variables, uncovering their secrets and importance. Get ready to clean, manipulate, analyse, and create eye-catching visualisations, all while having fun and gaining valuable skills!	Dr. Busola Oronti	08/03/2025
*Mini Masterclass: Introduction to Classification* Classification is the practice of assigning data to different categories, and is a fundamental question in data science across multiple domains. For example, how do financial institutions decide whether they should loan money to an individual or not, based on the person's financial credentials? How does automated handwriting recognition software decide what letter of the alphabet you have written? Judging from a patient's medical record, at what point should doctors decide the patient is at risk of a heart attack in the next twelve months, and so medical intervention is necessary? In this mini masterclass, we will discuss some of the common mathematical techniques applied to all of these problems, and how the effectiveness of various classification algorithms is evaluated.	Dr. Paul Skerritt	15/03/2025
Celebration Event (Families welcome)