Winter School with the Expert: Causal Inference with Machine Learning

Description:

This is an advanced inclusive training in causal inference including personalised training on fundamental methods in mathematics and statistics, introduction of causal inference and to machine learning, and three days of more advanced specialist content, delivered by Professor Jannis Kuck. The diagnostic tests, administered in advance of the course, will identify participants’ pre-existing knowledge of relevant quantitative skills. Participants will receive personalised timetables for the course, including online teaching material for basic prerequisite knowledge, pointing them to training in quantitative methods where needed, as identified by analysis of the test results. There will be pre-requisite courses in December 2025 on: OLS ‘refresher’, Introduction to R and Visualization, Introduction to Causal Inference, Use of Panel Data for Causal Inference and data handling. 

The in person training on Advanced Causal Inference happens 7 January 2026 11.00-17.00; 8 January 2026 11.00-17.00; 9 January 2026 9.00-15.30 at University of Southampton, Highfield Campus, Building 100, Room 6009. 

The training is suitable for PhD students in Quantitative Social Sciences. Pre-requisites for the 3-day course in January, which will be offered as part of the package are:

1. Basic understanding of probability theory (expectations etc), statistical theory (hypothesis testing), and regression analysis (OLS) refresher
2. Basic understanding of causal analysis (randomized experiments, confounding factors etc)
3. Basic experience with data analysis using software (Sata or R)—We will use R, but experience with Stata might also help
4. Not required, but an advantage: Basic understanding of Machine Learning methods, in particular shrinkage methods (e.g., Lasso, Ridge) and tree-based methods (regression trees, random forest)

Professor Jannis Kuck, Professor of Economics and Data Science at the University of Düsseldorf, specialises in high-dimensional statistics, econometrics, causal inference, machine learning and graphical models to provide an inclusive course to Social Sciences PhD students. 

Cost:

Training is open to PhD students in the University of Southampton, South Coast DTP and DTP network to whom it is free.

Website and registration:

Region:

South East

Keywords:

Quantitative Data Handling and Data Analysis, Statistical Theory and Methods of Inference

Related publications and presentations from our eprints archive:

Quantitative Data Handling and Data Analysis
Statistical Theory and Methods of Inference

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