The guest researcher combines data science with curiosity and an intercultural perspective
"I got lost my first time shopping at Kaufland." - Anyone who talks with a wink about disorientation in a German supermarket also encounters cultural differences with curiosity and openness. Hariaksha Gunda - Hari for short - is 20 years old, comes from Montgomery, Alabama, and is currently spending a few weeks as a visiting researcher at the Faculty of Business Administration and Economics at Paderborn University. Sponsored by the prestigious Gilman Scholarship of the US Department of State, he is conducting research in the group of Prof Dr Martin Kesternich at the Paderborn Research Center for Sustainable Economy (PARSEC).
From the US campus to Paderborn - with a clear mission
Hari is studying Data Science and Foreign Languages and Literature at the University of Alabama - supplemented by the minor subjects Computer Science and Global and Cultural Perspectives. Since starting his studies in August 2022, he has been particularly interested in working and conducting research in Germany.
His path to Paderborn was made possible by an international network: at his home university, Hari works as a research assistant to Prof. Dr Michael Price, who in turn conducts research with Prof. Dr Kesternich "Prof. Dr Price knew that I was interested in environmental and sustainability research, so he put me in contact with Prof. Dr Kesternich, who suggested that I work on data protection rules on environmental programme evaluation. I thought that the work sounded interesting, so I agreed to research under Prof. Dr. Kesternich at PARSEC this summer."
The focus of his academic work at Paderborn University is the question of how the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) influences the evaluation of environmental programmes. To this end, Hari is analysing company data and field experimental data. "This research interests me because it can help us better inform policy."
Hari describes his motivation for his research visit abroad as follows: "I aspire to work as a data scientist for a nonprofit or intergovernmental organisation, like the WWF or IUCN, where I can apply technical skills on a larger scale. International collaborations and experiences like this help prepare for such roles by teaching me to learn and work within multiple frameworks, cultures, and languages."
Learning in research, language and everyday life
In addition to research, Hari also wants to learn more linguistically and culturally: "First, I want to improve my German language proficiency in this internship. The opportunity of living in Germany, practicing with native speakers, and reading research items/data in German is helpful for learning both everyday and academic German."
During his stay, he is also preparing for the Goethe B2 exam and gaining impressions of everyday research and work in Germany - a country that he sees as an important player in the international climate discourse: "I can gain a lot of career knowledge and new perspectives here. I hope that any insights and experiences gained during this internship lead to work with German institutions again in the future."
His advice for other international students: "Be open-minded and learn as much as you can about the culture, language, etc! International students have a unique opportunity to connect with and learn from new friends who have different worldviews and experiences as you."
A win-win situation for both sides
"The major social challenges of our time - from climate change to digital transformation - can be tackled in particular with an international and interdisciplinary perspective on data and interrelationships. Collaborations like the one with the University of Alabama help us to systematically integrate such perspectives into our research here in Paderborn. Hari not only brings technical expertise, but also a genuine interest in the political and social issues behind it. It is particularly enriching for our team to work with young researchers like Hari, who go into science with the same curiosity, ability to reflect and desire for impact," says Prof Dr Martin Kesternich, describing the added value of the collaboration and international exchange at the faculty.
