UAB’s Magic City Data Collective awarded IEDC Excellence Award for impact on Birmingham community residents

Photography: Andrea MabryThe University of Alabama at Birmingham's Magic City Data Collective, in collaboration with the Birmingham Business Alliance and ThinkData Solutions, was recently named a Silver Award Winner in the International Economic Development Council's 2024 IEDC Excellence Awards.

The Magic City Data Collective is a collaborative effort housed in the UAB College of Arts and Sciences' Department of Physics designed to equip students and early-career professionals with practical experience in data analytics and data science. By focusing on civic education and addressing real-world community challenges, MCDC enables participants to make meaningful contributions to Birmingham. Through partnerships with UAB, local businesses, nonprofits and community stakeholders, students work on data-driven projects that have had a direct, positive impact on an estimated 200,000 to 500,000 Birmingham residents. The UAB Department of Physics is in the process of expanding our MCDC model into a comprehensive work-based learning, civic education and student support program for all physics majors.

"This recognition underscores the importance of public-private partnerships in fostering economic growth in Birmingham through impactful, work-based learning initiatives," said Lauren Rast, Ph.D., program director for the MCDC and associate professor in the Department of Physics. "Beyond validating the efforts of our collaboration, the award highlights the critical role of providing young talent with opportunities to apply data analytics in real-world, community-centered projects. It reinforces the UAB Physics Department's commitment to advancing innovation, workforce development and educational progress throughout the region."

Rast hopes to expand the impact of MCDC on workforce development to provide more students with opportunities to acquire the skills and networks essential for successful careers and leadership roles in their fields.

Silver Award winners were chosen based on the ingenuity and commitment necessary to foster transformative economic growth and prosperity in communities across the globe.