Karle Flanagan

Karle Flanagan is a Teaching Associate Professor in the Department of Statistics at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. She specializes in designing accessible and interdisciplinary data science curricula, particularly through courses like STAT 107 (Data Science Discovery), which blends computer science and statistics. Her work emphasizes real-world datasets and collaborative teaching approaches, as demonstrated in co-developing STAT 107 with Wade Fagen-Ulmschneider. She actively participates in initiatives like the DPI Digital Scholars Program to expand data science education to Chicago public schools and high school students.

Education & Roles

• Teaching Associate Professor, Department of Statistics

Research & Teaching Focus

Flanagan’s research interests center on innovative pedagogy, particularly in making data science education inclusive and engaging across disciplines. She prioritizes hands-on learning through real-world datasets, such as those tied to Illinois or student interests, to foster student investment. Her collaboration with Fagen-Ulmschneider highlights the synergy between computational and statistical perspectives in education.

Contributions

• Co-developer of STAT 107, a flagship course with over 1,000 students annually
• Contributor to the DPI Digital Scholars Program, bridging university and high school data science education
• Featured in the Data Science Education Podcast discussing curriculum design and scaling initiatives

Awards

No specific awards mentioned, but recognized for contributions to educational innovation.

Advising & Grants

Focus on curriculum development and educational outreach rather than traditional grant-funded research. Collaborates with institutions like Google Chicago and Chicago Public Schools through professional development programs.

Labs & Teams

Associated with the Data Science Education Community, contributing to initiatives like the DPI Digital Scholars Program and interdisciplinary teaching teams.