With over 10 years of experience in research, teaching, technical writing, consulting, developing technology, and leveraging data analytics, I am passionate about building success and empowering those I work with to excel.

I am an Assistant Professor of Business Analytics at the Dhillon School of Business, University of Lethbridge. My responsibilities include teaching, conducting research, and engaging with students and colleagues in projects that utilize the ever-evolving field of data analytics. My teaching methodology is cyclical, and ensures students comprehend and connect with each concept before progressing to the next. I believe in open communication and encourage students to reach out if they find themselves struggling with the content.

I strive to make learning enjoyable and engaging by using interesting, fun, and relatable examples in my courses. This helps in demystifying complex concepts and empowering students with the skills and confidence needed to develop remarkable software, data analysis, and insights. From pizza 🍕, dinosaurs 🦖, to chickens 🐓, I utilize themes and subjects that students can relate to, in an effort to make coding and data analysis both fun and captivating.

Google Scholar Profile | LinkedIn | GitHub | Academia.edu

Projects

AI In Action Podcast

Join host Dr. Sidney Shapiro as he explores the latest advancements in artificial intelligence and its real-world applications with industry experts, academics, and AI innovators. Each episode dives deep into how AI is shaping the future of business, technology, and society.

AI Generated Stories

With the University of Lethbridge Library, an endless AI story generator for AI Month, June 2024

AI ChatBot

A demo for a presentation on an AI ChatBot - code from http://keithweaver.github.io/eliza/

QR Code Maker

From the Friday meeting series (a one hour weekly hackathon), a QR code generator in Python/Flask.

Sea Shanty Maker

From the Friday meeting series (a one hour weekly hackathon), a site that takes a text file and turns it into a sea shanty in Python/Flask

Positive Outlook Generator

Get motivated with the Positive Outlook Generator! This tool is designed to boost your mood and provide motivation through positive affirmations and outlooks. Check it out to see how it can brighten your day.

Podcasts, Interviews and Media

AI Experience Podcast
AI Unplugged: Demystifying the Tech That Shapes Our World
Join us as we explore the current state of AI, its practical applications, and what the future holds. From the rise of generative AI like ChatGPT to the integration of AI in everyday devices, Sidney shares his insights on the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead. Whether you're a tech enthusiast or just starting to learn about AI, this episode will provide you with a deeper understanding of the technology that is reshaping our world.

SAAIC 2024 Conference
The State of AI

Artificial Intelligence in Research with Dr. Sidney Shapiro
Interview with Dr. David Dobson - June 6th, 2024

Artificial intelligence — bane or boon to humanity?
SACPA | Southern Alberta Council on Public Affairs - April 11th, 2024

Interview with Bridge City News on AI and the future of technology

Big Data and AI Toronto - Advanced analytics and modern technology to create intelligent predictions - 2023-10-19

Interview on the Change Itself podcast

Thinking Data

The modern artist project

February 6, 2024 - Artificial intelligence — bane or boon to humanity?

April 13, 2024 - U of L professor discusses AI and the future of technology
April 11, 2024 - Artificial intelligence topic of SACPA discussion

Our Business People Make the Difference - Cambrian College Social Media

One-on-One with Dr. Mike: A Q&A with Data Scientist Sidney Shapiro
On chicken dashboards and gaining insight through data science
Sudbury Star Nov 5, 2019

Cambrian College pleased with research efforts
Project will analyze and integrate statistics that can be used to better predict and prevent potential workplace injuries
Sudbury Star November 16, 2019

Sudbury tech firm, Cambrian mining centre working together
Project will analyze and integrate statistics that can be used to better predict and prevent potential workplace injuries
Sudbury Star November 19, 2019

Sudbury college, tech firm partnering on mine safety research
Cambrian College and Sofvie Inc. will use data analytics to prevent workplace injury
Sudbury Star November 20, 2019

Cambrian College students from the business, crime, and health analytics programs are helping organizations on two continents as part of their capstone projects.
Cambrian analytics students' capstone projects help organizations on two continents
Sudbury Star July 7, 2021

Publications

HyFlex Course Design and Teaching Strategies

HyFlex Course Design and Teaching Strategies is intended as an introductory resource for post-secondary faculty engaging in HyFlex teaching and learning. It includes four modules to help faculty with HyFlex course development and assessment design, lesson planning, content curation/creation, engaging students in multiple modalities, and evaluating the effectiveness of HyFlex courses. Each module contains information, interactive practice activities, examples, and culminating activities so that learners may plan, execute and evaluate their HyFlex practice.

Motivation and Engagement of Nursing Students in 2 Gamified Courses

Evidence suggests that gamification increases student engagement in course activities. However, student feedback about gamification in nursing contexts is needed. The aim of this study was to describe nursing student perceptions of how gamification impacts student motivation and engagement.

Three Steps Towards Sustainability: Spreadsheets as a Data Collection Analysis System for non-Profit Organizations

Many non-profits face barriers developing systems to collect and analyze data that can leverage the type of information that their funders and stakeholders require. Constraints such as limited evaluation expertise, time, and money make this virtually impossible to achieve without a viable solution. In an increasingly competitive environment, it is imperative that non-profits find innovative ways to track and measure their work within their evaluative capabilities. There are different ways in which evaluators can help even the most constrained non-profit organizations capture their reach and make the most of their existing data. This article proposes a three-step framework for the development of a data-collection and -analysis system through the use of spreadsheets.

When Big Data Gets Small Results

Data is significantly narrowed in focus and its utility for analysis becomes limited. There often exists a large gap between the big, macro picture, and the many data points, which feed into it on the micro scale. Although analyzing patterns in “big data” has become an established analytical method, underlying inputs need to be chosen with care.

Influence and Social Networks

Studying large-scale social networks can be a complex and challenging task when considering social media's rapid development. Mapping large networks and studying interactions present barriers in terms of access to data, limitations on analysis, and an approach to identify unseen influencers in the network. This study examines how connections between data points and users in a network can be mapped and understood. This method of mapping connections can allow a researcher to identify influencers within a network and find optimal routes through which content can be distributed to a broad group of connected users. This is accomplished by comparing the role of network groups to that of users. This is done by mapping organizations and connected groups of students on social media networks over time to identify influential network members.