In Conversation with Brian Wright | Professor at University of Virginia – Edu Unlocked Podcast

Brian Wright

Guest

Brian Wright serves as the Quantitative Foundation Associate Professor and Director of Undergraduate Programs at the School of Data Science, University of Virginia (UVA). A pioneering educator and program designer, Wright has been at the forefront of Data Science education since 2012, shaping how universities prepare the next generation of data-driven professionals.
At UVA, Wright led the creation of both the Data Science Minor and Major, expanding the university’s academic offerings in one of the fastest-growing disciplines. He also directs the Collaboratory for the Advancement of Data Science and Education, a cross-disciplinary initiative with UVA’s School of Education that advances research and innovation in teaching data science. In addition, he oversees The Data Science Active Learning Lab, an applied research hub dedicated to developing and testing effective pedagogical models for Data Science education.
Before joining UVA in 2019, Wright played a foundational role in building the Master’s in Data Science Program at George Washington University, where he also co-founded the Data Science Institute. His collaborative work at GW led to the creation of a joint Ph.D. in Education and Data Science, blending research in learning sciences and advanced analytics.
Prior to his academic career, Wright worked for the U.S. Department of Defense, both as a federal employee and as a Management Consultant, applying data and analytical approaches to national security and organizational strategy.
Wright earned his Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration, Master of Public Administration (MPA), and B.S. in Economics from the University of Tennessee.
Key Highlights:
1. Quantitative Foundation Associate Professor and Director of Undergraduate Programs, UVA School of Data Science.
2. Creator of UVA’s Data Science Minor and Major programs.
3. Director, Collaboratory for the Advancement of Data Science and Education.
4. Founder, Data Science Active Learning Lab for applied pedagogy research.
5. Co-founder of the Data Science Institute and MS in Data Science program at George Washington

Ashish Fernando

Host

Founder & CEO, EDMO
Ashish Fernando is the visionary founder and CEO of EDMO, a revolutionary educational technology platform that's transforming how people learn and grow. With over 15 years of experience in education and technology, Ashish has dedicated his career to making quality education accessible to learners worldwide. Before founding EDMO, Ashish held leadership positions at several prominent EdTech companies and worked as an educational consultant for Fortune 500 companies. He holds an MBA from Stanford Graduate School of Business and a Master's in Computer Science from MIT. Ashish is a frequent speaker at educational conferences and has been featured in publications such as EdTech Magazine, Learning & Development Today, and TechCrunch. He's passionate about the intersection of technology and human potential, believing that the right tools can unlock extraordinary learning outcomes for everyone. Under his leadership, EDMO has grown to serve over 100,000 learners globally and has partnerships with leading educational institutions and corporations. Ashish continues to drive innovation in personalized learning, adaptive assessment, and educational analytics.
Key Achievements:
1. Founded EDMO in 2019, now serving 100,000+ learners globally
2. Named 'EdTech Innovator of the Year' by Learning Technology Awards 2023
3. Featured speaker at Global Education Summit 2024
4. Published researcher in educational technology and learning analytics
5. Advisor to multiple EdTech startups and educational initiatives