Data Methods Initiative: IRL
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The Data Methods Initiative goes offline and into real life.
On 27–28 November 2025, MMTC welcomed researchers from across Sweden and beyond for a two-day workshop organized by the Data Methods Initiative. The gathering focused on methodological developments in AI and computational tools, and how these are reshaping social science research.
A key theme throughout the workshop was the rapidly changing nature of data and the growing need for new analytical approaches. As Marcel Garz, MMTC member and Associate Professor at Jönköping International Business, explained: “Traditional quantitative methods are often no longer sufficient for understanding how society communicates, behaves, and makes decisions.”
With unstructured digital material such as text, images, video, and AI-generated content becoming central to how societies function, researchers now face both new possibilities and new methodological hurdles.
Maria Arango-Kure, MMTC member and co-organizer of the initiative, highlighted the broader importance of building these skills locally - The Data Methods Initiative helps Jönköping University and the region stay at the forefront of methodological innovation, respond to workforce needs, and strengthen their position in an increasingly data-driven world.
Two days of shared learning and collaboration
Around 25 participants attended the workshop. The first day opened with senior researchers offering candid reflections on their own computational and data-intensive projects, sharing lessons learned from both successes and setbacks. This created a constructive atmosphere of openness and collective learning.
In the afternoon, early-career scholars presented ongoing work in peer-mentoring sessions, receiving feedback, methodological input, and ideas for future development.
Building collaborations for future research
Day two began with a discussion of an upcoming edited volume linked to the initiative, followed by a session open to a wider audience on the practical and theoretical use of AI tools and computational methods in social science research.
The workshop ended with a lively “speed-dating” activity, where participants paired different theoretical and methodological perspectives to identify potential collaborations. A networking lunch concluded the event and offered additional opportunities to connect.
What’s next?
Building on the success of the in-person meeting, the Data Methods Initiative plans to continue combining online seminars with future regional workshops and gatherings. Co-organizer Thomas Cyron, Assistant Professor at Jönköping International Business, invites researchers and data practitioners to join the initiative’s seminar series and stay engaged with the emerging community.
Facts: The Data Methods Initiative
The Data Methods Initiative is an interdisciplinary academic group focused on advancing innovative methods in social science research. It aims to develop methodological skills and explore emerging tools such as machine learning, computational text and image analysis, and other data-driven approaches. The initiative is co-organized by researchers from MMTC, Tampere University, and Copenhagen Business School.
