Each year, Queen’s Business School hosts the Data for Good Hackathon, inviting participants to propose innovative, realistic, and feasible solutions to pressing issues. It's more than just a competition; it's an opportunity to make a meaningful impact.

Imagine being part of a collaborative team, guided by industry mentors, aiming to harness health data to address critical healthcare challenges in Northern Ireland. What groundbreaking solutions do you anticipate arising from this unique partnership?

This year's cohort

This year, we embarked on an exciting journey to tackle healthcare challenges in Northern Ireland using data from 312 GPs across the region which was Open Data. Over two action-packed days, we dove into enhancing our skills and collaborating with a diverse mix of students from MBA, Business Analytics, Management, International Business programmes etc.

Participants had the chance to register as teams or individuals, and I was fortunate to team up with students from various disciplines. This blend brought together analytical, technical, and strategic viewpoints, enriching our approach to problem-solving and finding innovative solutions.

Day 1

Day 1 of the healthcare hackathon at Queen's Business School kicked off with Dr. Byron Graham, the event's main organiser and Business Analytics course advisor. Dr. Graham provided a comprehensive overview of the hackathon, introducing us (participants) to essential tools and techniques for tackling the challenges ahead. Thanks to a generous donation from tech companies like Tableau and Alteryx, we had access to licensed software, including these powerful analytics tools.

The day began with an in-depth exploration of a subset of healthcare data, aiming to familiarise ourselves with the dataset central to the hackathon's goals. Half of the day was dedicated to understanding the complexities of the healthcare system and the specific challenges we aimed to address. In the latter part of the day, we dove into hands-on sessions with Alteryx, leveraging the insights and capabilities made possible by their recent $15 million donation to the university.

Hands-on sessions with EY

Excitement buzzed as we also received our hackathon t-shirts – a tangible reminder of our participation in this exciting event. Both days were made even better with delicious lunches provided by Business Beans, fueling our energy for the intense brainstorming and problem-solving sessions.

Day 2 – The Big Day

Yes, it was finally here! In the morning, we were presented with the main dataset, setting the stage for the real challenge ahead. Throughout the day, we were fortunate to be mentored by data experts from leading organisations like EY, PwC, FinTrU, and Kainos. Their guidance was invaluable, not only in refining our approach but also in enriching our understanding of data analytics in real-world scenarios.

As the day progressed, anticipation grew for the presentation session. We faced a distinguished panel of judges from academia and industry, who were genuinely impressed by the solutions we crafted within the tight timeframe. It was inspiring to witness the diverse approaches and innovative ideas from other teams, providing us with valuable insights for future endeavours.

Presenting!

During the prize distribution, although my team didn't clinch the top spot, we were honored to secure second place on the panel. Speaking with the judges in a retrospective session revealed areas where we could have improved – our solution leaned more towards strategic planning than analytical depth. Nonetheless, this experience was a tremendous learning curve, and I cherished every moment of the intense yet rewarding two days. It has certainly prepared me for future challenges in my career.

Participating in this QBS Healthcare Hackathon has been an unforgettable experience that will stay with me for a lifetime. Not only did it provide an opportunity to enhance my skills and knowledge, but it also allowed me to contribute towards solving critical healthcare issues in Northern Ireland.

Throughout the event, I gained invaluable insights into the complexities of our healthcare system and had the privilege to collaborate with passionate individuals from diverse backgrounds. Together, we explored innovative solutions and applied cutting-edge tools to address real-world challenges.

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As I look back on this journey, I am grateful for the learning, growth, and camaraderie fostered during the hackathon. It has truly prepared me to face future challenges with confidence and determination. I am proud to have been part of an initiative that aims to make a positive impact on healthcare delivery in Northern Ireland.

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Madhurya Jagadeesh MSc Business Analytics | Postgraduate Student | India I am a dedicated Business and Data Analyst with a strong academic foundation and a history in various analytical roles. My educational journey includes a Master of Science in Business Analytics from Queen's University Belfast and a Bachelor of Engineering in Information Science & Engineering.