---
title: "LSE DS202 – Data Science for Social Scientists"
subtitle: "2025-2026/25 Winter Term"
format: html
author: Dr. [Ghita Berrada](https://www.lse.ac.uk/DSI/People/Ghita-Berrada)
---

## 📑 Notice Board

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#### 🥐 Releases for this week:

**Lab solutions**

- The [solutions](/2025-2026/winter-term/weeks/week11/lab_materials/LSE_DS202W_W11_lab_solutions.qmd) for the W11 lab are now up.
  
**Summatives**

- Your personalised Spring Term summative feedback is available as an issue on the GitHub repository where you submitted your formative (the feedback will be replicated on Moodle eventually)
- A model solution for the W10 summative has been released on the [website](/2025-2026/winter-term/assessments/w10_summative_solution.qmd)


**Tutorials and lectures**

- Check out a quick tutorial on [`scikit-learn`'s `Pipelines`](/2025-2026/winter-term/weeks/week07/lecture_materials/pipelines-tutorial.qmd) (this is a handy feature when you want to chain multiple pre-processing and modeling steps together!)  
- **The W07, W08 and W09 notebooks have been updated**:
  
  - there were some small updates to references/links at the very end of the PCA section in the W07 notebook
  - in the W08 notebook, the code for **Part 4: What if I have way more than two dimensions?** has been corrected and a small note was added at the end of the part to discuss the fact that label-encoded categorical features dominate the principal components. 
  - the missing explanations about the Gower metric were in the W09 notebook (and the change was mirrored in the W08 notebook where the Gower metric part originally appeared!). The code for the UMAP-generated plot after DSBSCAN with Gower was also fixed: label-encoding was wrong and producing unintended results so it was replaced with one-hot encoding
- links to LOF videos in the W09 notebook were added to the W09 notebook

- **The W10 notebook has been updated**:
  
   - some alternative code for how to generate a DFM with n-grams has been added to section **1.2 The notion of a Document-Term Feature Matrix**
   - some visualisation of LDA topics has been added to section **2.3 Topic modelling**
   - a section **2.4 Keyness analysis** has been added on keyness analysis

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<figure>
    <img src="/figures/DS202W_2025_icon10.jpeg" alt="Image Created with Microsoft Designer. Prompt: 'A website favicon design using a mix of Persian indigo (#360568) and celadon (#A5E6BA) shades, created in an impressionist style. The image captures the magical experience of analyzing and modeling data with machine learning. It features abstract representations of interconnected data nodes and flowing patterns transforming into sparkling, gem-like insights. The design uses soft, painterly brushstrokes and harmonious blending of colors to evoke an artistic, dreamy, and Monet-inspired atmosphere, while being simple and clear for a favicon format.'" title="Image Created with DALL-E3. Prompt: 'A website favicon design using a mix of Persian indigo (#360568) and celadon (#A5E6BA) shades, created in an impressionist style. The image captures the magical experience of analyzing and modeling data with machine learning. It features abstract representations of interconnected data nodes and flowing patterns transforming into sparkling, gem-like insights. The design uses soft, painterly brushstrokes and harmonious blending of colors to evoke an artistic, dreamy, and Monet-inspired atmosphere, while being simple and clear for a favicon format.'" role="presentation" style="object-fit: cover;width:5em;height:5em;border-radius: 50%;margin-bottom:-1rem;">
</figure>




<!--:::callout-important

- Your W04 summative marks have now been released on Moodle! If you have any questions, let us know.
- A `.qmd` file with explanations and annotations on the winning solutions of the W05 mini-competition has been made available [here](/2023/winter-term/weeks/week05/competition.qmd)!

:::-->

# 🧑🏻‍🏫 Our Team

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## Lecturer

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<figure>
    <img src="/figures/people/Berrada_Ghita.jpg" alt="Photo of Dr Ghita Berrada" role="presentation" style="object-fit: cover;width:5em;height:5em;border-radius: 50%;" class="img-responsive atto_image_button_text-bottom">
    <figcaption>
        <strong style="font-size:1.2em;">Dr.&nbsp;<span><a href="https://www2.lse.ac.uk/DSI/People/Ghita-Berrada" target="_blank" class="external">Ghita Berrada</a></span></strong> 
        <br>Assistant Professor of Data Science (Education)
        <br>LSE Data Science Institute
        <br>📧 [E-mail](mailto:G.Berrada@lse.ac.uk)
        <br><span style="display: inline-block; padding: 0 10px; font-size: 0.7em; font-weight: var(--base-text-weight-medium, 500); line-height: 1.3em; white-space: nowrap; border: 1px solid #9AC6C5; border-radius: 2em; color: #fcfcfc; background-color: #9AC6C5; vertical-align: middle;">COURSE CONVENOR</span> 
        <span style="display: inline-block; padding: 0 10px; font-size: 0.7em; font-weight: var(--base-text-weight-medium, 500); line-height: 1.3em; white-space: nowrap; border: 1px solid #9AC6C5; border-radius: 2em; background-color: #fcfcfc; color: #9AC6C5; vertical-align: middle;">LECTURER</span>
        <br>
    </figcaption>

</figure>

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## Class Teachers

::: columns

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<figure>
    <img src="/figures/people/Tabtim.jpeg" alt="Photo of Tabtim Duenger" role="presentation" style="object-fit: cover;width:5em;height:5em;border-radius: 50%;" class="img-responsive atto_image_button_text-bottom">
    <figcaption>
        <strong style="font-size:1.2em">[Tabtim Duenger](https://www.linkedin.com/in/tabtimduenger)</strong> 
        <br>Data Scientist at The Economist
        <br>MSc in Applied Social Data Science (LSE)
        <br>📧 [E-mail](mailto:tabbyduenger@aol.com)
        <br><span style="display: inline-block; padding: 0 10px; font-size: 0.7em; font-weight: var(--base-text-weight-medium, 500); line-height: 1.3em; white-space: nowrap; border: 1px solid #9AC6C5; border-radius: 2em; background-color: #fcfcfc; color: #9AC6C5; vertical-align: middle;">CLASS TEACHER</span>
        <br>
    </figcaption>

</figure>

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<figure>
    <img src="/figures/people/Andreas.jpg" alt="Photo of Andreas Stöffelbauer"  role="presentation" style="object-fit: cover;width:5em;height:5em;border-radius: 50%;" class="img-responsive atto_image_button_text-bottom">
    <figcaption>
        <strong style="font-size:1.2em">[Andreas Stöffelbauer](https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreas-stoeffelbauer)</strong> 
        <br>Data Scientist at Microsoft
        <br>MSc in Data Science (LSE)
        <br>📧 [E-mail](mailto:a.stoffelbauer@lse.ac.uk?subject=[DS202A]%20-%20)
        <br><span style="display: inline-block; padding: 0 10px; font-size: 0.7em; font-weight: var(--base-text-weight-medium, 500); line-height: 1.3em; white-space: nowrap; border: 1px solid #9AC6C5; border-radius: 2em; background-color: #fcfcfc; color: #9AC6C5; vertical-align: middle;">CLASS TEACHER</span>
        <br>
    </figcaption>

</figure>

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<figure>
    <img src="/figures/people/stuart.jpg" alt="Photo of Stuart Bramwell"  role="presentation" style="object-fit: cover;width:5em;height:5em;border-radius: 50%;" class="img-responsive atto_image_button_text-bottom">
    <figcaption>
        <strong style="font-size:1.2em">Dr [Stuart Bramwell](https://github.com/sbramwell86)</strong> 
        <br>Guest Lecturer at the Data Science Institute
        <br>DPhil in Politics (Oxford University) 
        <br>📧 [E-mail](mailto:s.bramwell@lse.ac.uk?subject=[DS202A]%20-%20)
        <br><span style="display: inline-block; padding: 0 10px; font-size: 0.7em; font-weight: var(--base-text-weight-medium, 500); line-height: 1.3em; white-space: nowrap; border: 1px solid #9AC6C5; border-radius: 2em; background-color: #fcfcfc; color: #9AC6C5; vertical-align: middle;">CLASS TEACHER</span>
        <br/>
    </figcaption>

</figure>

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<figure>
    <img src="/figures/people/yassine2.png" alt="Photo of Yassine Lahna"  role="presentation" style="object-fit: cover;width:5em;height:5em;border-radius: 50%;" class="img-responsive atto_image_button_text-bottom">
    <figcaption>
        <strong style="font-size:1.2em">[Yassine Lahna](https://www.linkedin.com/in/yassine-lahna-195924289/)</strong> 
        <br>Data Scientist
        <br>MSc in Statistical Science (Oxford University)
        <br>📧 [E-mail](mailto:y.lahna@lse.ac.uk?subject=[DS202A]%20-%20)
        <br><span style="display: inline-block; padding: 0 10px; font-size: 0.7em; font-weight: var(--base-text-weight-medium, 500); line-height: 1.3em; white-space: nowrap; border: 1px solid #9AC6C5; border-radius: 2em; background-color: #fcfcfc; color: #9AC6C5; vertical-align: middle;">CLASS TEACHER</span>
        <br/>
    </figcaption>

</figure>

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<figure>
    <img src="/figures/people/sara_and_cat.jpeg" alt="Photo of Sara Luxmoore (with a cat!)"  role="presentation" style="object-fit: cover;width:5em;height:5em;border-radius: 50%;" class="img-responsive atto_image_button_text-bottom">
    <figcaption>
        <strong style="font-size:1.2em">[Sara Luxmoore](https://saraluxmoore.github.io/#)</strong> 
        <br>Research Officer
        <br>LSE Data Science Institute and LSE Cities
        <br>📧 [E-mail](mailto:s.m.luxmoore@lse.ac.uk?subject=[DS202A]%20-%20)
        <br><span style="display: inline-block; padding: 0 10px; font-size: 0.7em; font-weight: var(--base-text-weight-medium, 500); line-height: 1.3em; white-space: nowrap; border: 1px solid #A9E8BD; border-radius: 2em; background-color: #A5E6BA; color:#5B2A86; vertical-align: middle;">SUPPORT SESSIONS</span>
    </figcaption>

</figure>

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## Course Representative

Could this be you? 

Course reps are the link between the students and the academic staff. They attend Teaching Committee meetings to share students' feedback and suggestions. As a perk, course reps are guaranteed a place in the industry trips we organise.

Learn how to nominate yourself on the 🗳️ [Course Rep](/2025-2026/winter-term/course-rep.qmd) page.


## Administrative Support

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<figure>
    <img src="/figures/people/KevinKittoe.png" alt="Photo of Kevin Kittoe"  role="presentation" style="object-fit: cover;width:5em;height:5em;border-radius: 50%;" class="img-responsive atto_image_button_text-bottom">
    <figcaption>
        <strong>Kevin Kittoe</strong> 
        <br>Teaching and Learning Administrator
        <br>[LSE Data Science Institute](https://lse.ac.uk/dsi)
        <br>📧 [E-mail](mailto:DSI.ug@lse.ac.uk?subject=[DS202A]%20-%20)
         <br><span style="display: inline-block; padding: 0 10px; font-size: 0.7em; font-weight: var(--base-text-weight-medium, 500); line-height: 1.3em; white-space: nowrap; border: 1px solid #E5F8EB; border-radius: 2em; background-color: #DEF6E6; color: #360568; vertical-align: middle;">ADMIN</span>
    </figcaption>

</figure>
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# 📍 Lecture


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- 📆 Fridays<sup>*</sup>
- ⌚ 14:00 - 16:00
- 📍 CKK.LG.09	 (🗺️ [campus map](https://www.lse.ac.uk/lse-information/campus-map))
- Lecturer:
    - 👩🏻‍🏫 _Ghita_ 

<font size="0.5em"><sup>*</sup> _except Week 06 - Reading Week_</font>
:::


# 💻 Class Groups

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**Group 01** 

- 📆 Mondays
- ⌚ 09:00 - 10:30
- 📍 FAW.3.04
- 🧑‍🏫 _Andreas_*

<font size="0.5em"><sup>*</sup> _except Week 01 (Tabtim)_</font>

:::

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**Group 02**


- 📆 Mondays
- ⌚ 13:00 - 14:30
- 📍 FAW.3.04
- 🧑‍🏫 _Stuart_

<br/>


:::

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**Group 03**

- 📆 Mondays
- ⌚ 15:00 - 16:30
- 📍 FAW.3.04
- 🧑‍🏫 _Tabtim_

<font size="0.5em"><sup>*</sup> _except Week 01 (Andreas)_</font>

:::

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**Group 04**

- 📆 Mondays
- ⌚ 16:30 - 18:00
- 📍 FAW.3.04
- 🧑‍🏫 _Yassine_

<br/>

:::




# 🛟 Additional weekly support sessions

Every week, we will offer drop-in sessions (no booking required) where you can get help with the week’s homework or with an upcoming assessment, ask questions about the lectures and classes, or simply chat with your peers and teachers.

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- 📆 Wednesdays
- ⌚ 10.00-11.30
- 📍 COL.1.06 (Visualisation Studio)
- 🧑‍🏫 _Sara_



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