Collaboration in Action: Bridging Research & Community

What if tackling health disparities could start with better data? Through the Urban Innovation Fund—a collaboration among university researchers and community organizations—Rutgers–Camden has committed $400,000 to transformative projects that directly benefit Camden. One such initiative, the Camden Health Equity and Digital Education Initiative, is developing a web-based platform to provide real-time, accessible health data for the city. This effort is led by Ojobo Agbo Eje and Athang Sanjeev Bhandarkar, students in the Data Science M.S. program, alongside Morenike Alugo, a Prevention Science PhD student, with guidance from Dr. Adam Okulicz-Kozaryn, who teaches in the Public Affairs MS & PhD and Public Administration MPA and MPA programs.

In Rutgers–Camden’s Urban Innovation Fund Fuels Transformative Community Projects, Christina Lynn highlights how this initiative and others are addressing critical community needs through innovative solutions.

We want to make this platform accessible and actionable, which will empower stakeholders like policymakers, health care providers, and the general public to address health inequities with a well-informed approach over time.
Ojobo Agbo Eje

Read the full article to learn how these efforts are reshaping Camden and creating a blueprint for community-driven impact.

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Mastering Data: The Data Science Program

The Master of Science in Data Science at Rutgers University–Camden is an interdisciplinary program that equips students with skills in data analysis, machine learning, and statistical modeling. The curriculum integrates tools from mathematics, computer science, public policy, and prevention science, emphasizing practical applications across various industries. Core courses include Foundations of Data Science, Statistical Methods for Data Science, Data Visualization, and Applied Data Mining and Machine Learning. Students also engage in a thesis or capstone project, applying their knowledge to real-world problems.

Transform Communities with Rutgers–Camden’s Prevention Science Graduate Programs

Rutgers University–Camden offers M.S. and Ph.D. programs in Public Affairs/Community Development, focusing on public policy, urban affairs, and political economy. The curriculum addresses community power, urban sustainability, and social justice, providing advanced research skills through courses like Statistical Inquiry and Geospatial Analysis. Students can engage in practical experiences via research centers such as the Senator Walter Rand Institute for Public Affairs and the Center for Urban Research and Education. The program offers flexible pathways, including a 30-credit M.S. degree suitable for part-time students, a 2+3 model combining M.S. and Ph.D. studies, and a 66-credit Ph.D. program. Notably, Rutgers–Camden’s Public Affairs program is recognized among the top public affairs schools by U.S. News & World Report.

Transform Communities with Rutgers–Camden’s Public Affairs Graduate Programs

Rutgers University–Camden offers M.S. and Ph.D. programs in Public Affairs/Community Development, focusing on public policy, urban affairs, and political economy. The curriculum addresses community power, urban sustainability, and social justice, providing advanced research skills through courses like Statistical Inquiry and Geospatial Analysis. Students can engage in practical experiences via research centers such as the Senator Walter Rand Institute for Public Affairs and the Center for Urban Research and Education. The program offers flexible pathways, including a 30-credit M.S. degree suitable for part-time students, a 2+3 model combining M.S. and Ph.D. studies, and a 66-credit Ph.D. program. Notably, Rutgers–Camden’s Public Affairs program is recognized among the top public affairs schools by U.S. News & World Report.