VEST Workshop with Dr. Ali Ünlü

Cosponsored by VEST and the Precision Health Initiative

Please note: This event is only open to VEST students at this time. Please contact [email protected] if you are not a VEST student but are interested in attending.

Abstract

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming how research is conducted across disciplines, offering new tools to address complex social issues. This workshop introduces participants to AI applications in social science, equipping them with practical knowledge and tools to enhance their research.

Designed for those with limited or no prior experience in AI methodologies, the workshop covers three key areas: 

1. Introduction to AI and Machine Learning: Participants will learn about foundational AI methods, including supervised and unsupervised learning, with real-world applications in Natural Language Processing (NLP), predictive modeling, and social media research. 
2. AI Tools for Research Activities: Discover how AI can streamline essential research tasks, such as conducting literature reviews, identifying research gaps, and integrating findings into the broader academic landscape. 
3. Ethical Considerations: Explore the ethical challenges of using AI in research, including potential biases, limitations, and inequities. Practical strategies for addressing these challenges will be discussed.

Who Should Attend?

This workshop is tailored for social science researchers, graduate students, and policymakers seeking to incorporate AI into their work. No prior coding experience is required, as prepared workflows and tools will be provided.

Why Attend?

Participants will gain: 

• A foundational understanding of AI in social science. 
• Hands-on experience with tools to enhance research efficiency. 
• Insights into ethical AI practices and strategies for responsible use. 

Join us to explore how AI can enrich research in fields such as mental health, violence, and crime, enabling innovative approaches to pressing social challenges

Biography

Ali Ünlü is an interdisciplinary researcher and policy analyst with a strong commitment to integrating AI methodologies into social science to address complex societal challenges. With extensive international experience, he bridges qualitative and quantitative research, focusing on the intersection of public policy, public health, criminal justice, and advanced computational techniques.

As a former national expert in Turkey, Ali Ünlü specialized in youth mental health, substance use, and delinquency, designing prevention projects recognized as best practices by the European Drug Agency (EUDA). At the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) and Aalto University in Finland, he expanded his research to include public health communication, foresight research, and the innovative application of AI in social science.

Currently, Ünlü's research focuses on the application of AI in health analytics and the analysis of public opinion on social media. His interests include identifying risk factors for mental health, substance use, violence, and crime. Additionally, he explores how polarization, misinformation, algorithms, and social media bots affect youth mental health and well-being, as well as their role in societal and political discussions, including school shootings, the treatment of violent offenders with mental health issues, drug policy reform, vaccine hesitancy, and hate speech.

Ali Ünlü is actively contributing to various teams at UVA, enhancing AI and machine learning research capacities. He collaborates with Youth-Nex, Integrative Data Analysis (IDA) for Coping Power Projects, the PIT-CREW (Preventive Interventions Team: Collaborative Research on Engagement and Wellbeing) Lab, and the UVA Precision Health Initiative. Committed to advancing academia, he is dedicated to teaching these cutting-edge methods to students, preparing the next generation of researchers to leverage AI in social science.