What is a Data Fellow?

A Data Fellow is typically a professional engaged in a temporary, project-based role focused on data analysis, research, or data-driven decision-making within an organization. These positions are often offered through fellowships in academic, nonprofit, or public sector settings, giving fellows the opportunity to work on specific data projects, gain hands-on experience, and contribute to organizational goals. Data Fellows are expected to have skills in data collection, cleaning, analysis, and visualization, and may work on tasks such as building dashboards, conducting statistical analyses, or supporting data-driven policy decisions. The fellowship usually lasts for a fixed period, such as 6–12 months, and can be a stepping stone to more advanced data roles.