Data analysis is as old as experimental science but there is a new spirit in the air that has transformed this venerable subject into what is now called "data science". This has been driven by the remarkable empirical successes of machine learning and especially of so-called deep learning. Much of the work on deep learning has an empirical character but other parts of data science or machine learning are grounded in well established theory like statistical learning theory or convex optimization. The goal of this workshop is to bring together some of the new approaches to developing foundations for data science coming from logic, semantics and probability theory.
The workshop organizers are Prakash Panangaden and Alexandra Silva. Attendance is by invitation only. The confirmed attendees are: Alexandra Silva, Prakash Panangaden, Glynn Winskel, Ana Sokolova, Dexter Kozen, Justin Hsu, Radu Mardare, Borja de Balle Pigem, Gilles Barthes, Dan Roy, Vincent Danos, Koko Muroya, Pascale Gourdeau and David Pym.
The practice at these workshops has been to allow the speaker ample time to get to technical details. There should be lots of opportunities for extensive small group discussions; we will not cram the schedule with lots of short talks. The talks are given on primitive chalkboards. Please do not prepare slides for a data projector or plastic transparencies. The tentative schedule is here.
The workshop runs from 18th March 2018 to 22nd March 2018 and will take place at the Bellairs Research Institute in Barbados. Directions and things to know: The airport is on the east-south point of the island and Bellairs is on the west side in the Parish of St. James (about a 40 minute taxi drive).
Here is a map of Barbados. Tell the taxi drivers to take you to Bellairs Research Centre in Holetown. Holetown is small and Bellairs is on the main street - it is just north of Folkstone Park. When filling in the Immigration form at the airport give the address as Bellairs Research Institute, Holetown, Parish of St. James. The taxi ride should cost about $35- $45 U.S. Barbados is safe and one shouldn't worry about travelling alone during the day. US currency is freely accepted at 2 Barbadian dollars per US dollar. Other currencies (Pound sterling, Canadian dollars) are not accepted; you will have to change them at banks or at the airport. Some people had trouble using their bank cards from Europe, but Canadian and US cards seem to work fine. At the airport if you go around to the departures side just after you arrive you will find cash machines there; strangely there are no ATMs at the arrivals area.
Good things to bring are suntan lotion or dark skin, mosquito repellent, swimwear, papers/books/stationary and light clothing (it will be pleasantly warm). There is wireless hookup for laptops so you can bring your own laptop. There will be a workshop fee of US $100 to cover administrative costs. The cost of a room will depend on the room. Dinners will be served on site for US $25 per meal and breakfasts for US $8 per meal. Payment can be made by credit card. The room allocations are made by the organizers, please do not contact the Bellairs staff to make room bookings.
Here is a picture of the workshop organizers. Here is a picture of the workshop participants from a few years ago.