News
Podcast: Dr. Patrick Ball on Using Statistics to Uncover Truth
Dr. Patrick Ball recently visited the Plutopia News Network podcast for a wide-ranging, inspiring conversation about his work for the Human Rights Data Analysis Group.
Patrick spoke about how he first discovered human rights work during his time in El Salvador with the Peace Brigades International. That led to his ongoing work as a statistician and computer programmer working to assess and analyze human rights violations. He also unpacked some common statistical techniques used by researchers at Human Rights Data Analysis Group, such as multiple systems estimation, ...
HRDAG Welcomes New Data Science Fellow
Our newest Data Science Fellow, Will Taylor, is currently a doctoral student in political science and public policy at the University of Michigan.
Announcing New HRDAG Advisory Board Member
Cynthia Conti-Cook came on board in March, 2025.
The John Maddox Prize for Patrick Ball
Congratulations to Patrick on this well deserved award!
HRDAG’s Year in Review: 2024
In 2024, HRDAG maximized AI's strengths to support partners.
Tech Note – improving LLM-driven info extraction
A follow-up chapter exploring recent advancements in LLM technology and extraction strategies.
Evaluating gunshot detection technology
Bailey’s analysis stemmed from data we had access to as part of our ongoing collaboration with the Invisible Institute.
A Pulitzer for an HRDAG partner
HRDAG colleague Trina Reynolds-Tyler wins a 2024 Pulitzer Prize in Local Reporting.
HRDAG Welcomes New Data Science Fellow
Alanna Flores joins HRDAG for the summer as a Data Science Fellow.
HRDAG’s Year in Review: 2023
In 2023, HRDAG continued to learn from our partners about resilience and patience.
Announcing New HRDAG Advisory Board Member
Elizabeth Eagen of the Citizens and Technology Lab at Cornell University will expand the HRDAG advisory board.
Human Rights and the Decentralized Web
Our partners were eager to learn and talk about emerging decentralized technology.
Remembering Scott Weikart
HRDAG’s core values all have a connection to Scott Weikart, 1951–2023.
Making Missing Data Visible in Colombia
Valentina Rozo Ángel has worked with HRDAG and the Colombian Truth Commission to acknowledge victims of the 50-year conflict who are not visible or easily counted.
Can the Armed Conflict Become Part of Colombia’s History?
Paula Amado and María Juliana Durán Fedullo reflect on how the Truth Commission may change Colombia’s history, finally officially acknowledging the 50-year conflict and its casualties, and reckoning with who did what to whom.
In Colombia: HRDAG and Dejusticia on the Importance of Missing Data
It’s inevitable that databases will have information gaps, and special care must be taken to account for these gaps.
Quantifying Police Misconduct in Louisiana
HRDAG contributes to the project by helping to classify, filter, extract, and standardize the records so that they can be useful in the database.
HRDAG Welcomes Two New Scholars
Paula Amado has joined as a Research Scholar, and María Juliana Durán Fedullo has joined as a Visiting Scholar.
HRDAG’s Year in Review: 2022
This past year at HRDAG has been about continuing efforts to uncover the truth.
Analyzing patterns of violence in Colombia using more than 100 databases
The institution’s objectives were to learn the truth about what happened during the armed conflict.
