The Data Center Working Group is led by the Data Science Institute and the Sustainability Research Hub. It is a cross-campus, interdisciplinary community focused on advancing research, collaboration, and strategic engagement related to data centers and their technical, environmental, social, economic, health, and policy dimensions. The group connects faculty, researchers and staff to share expertise, surface emerging research opportunities, and support early-stage team formation in a rapidly evolving funding and industry landscape. Initially guided by an ad hoc coordinating group, the Working Group provides a forum for dialogue, idea development, and external engagement, with the long-term goal of positioning UW–Madison as a leader in data center related research, innovation, and broader societal impact.
What We Do
- Foster interdisciplinary connections and collaboration among UW–Madison faculty, researchers, and staff working on data center related topics.
- Build shared awareness of ongoing research, expertise, and infrastructure relevant to data centers across campus.
- Anticipate and respond to emerging federal, foundation, and industry funding opportunities.
- Support early-stage collaboration, idea development, and team formation prior to funding solicitations.
- Serve as a forum for dialogue around the broader impacts of data centers, including sustainability, energy and water use, climate, communities, workforce, and governance.
- Foster meaningful engagement and sustained relationships between industry partners and UW–Madison faculty and researchers.
- Communicate data center–related research to the media, policymakers, and the public, emphasizing accuracy, transparency, and broader societal context.
Membership
Affiliation with the Working Group is open to any UW–Madison faculty member, academic staff, postdoctoral researcher, or graduate student with an interest in data centers or related research areas. Participation is voluntary and non-exclusive.
If you are interested in joining the working group, please send a request via google groups. Members receive updates about meetings, events, funding opportunities, and collaborative activities.
Leadership
This initiative is initially guided by an ad hoc coordinating group convened to help launch the working group and establish early direction, structure, and activities.
This ad hoc group is intended to be transitional and may evolve over time as the working group matures:
Kyle Cranmer – Data Science Institute/RISE-AI HQ
Cris Carusi – Data Science Institute/RISE-AI HQ
Kaiping Chen – Department of Life Sciences Communication
Morgan Edwards – La Follette School of Public Affairs
Matt Ginder-Vogel –Civil & Environmental Engineering and Sustainability Research Hub
Corbett Grainger – Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics
Anna Haensch –Data Science Institute
Melanie Hebl –Sustainability Research Hub
Paul Meier – Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies
Ali Mikulyuk – Aquatic Sciences Center and Water@UW
John Parrish – Division of Extension
Dan Phaneuf – Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics
Crystal Potts – UW-Madison State Relations
Line Roald – Electrical and Computer Engineering
Diane Stojanovich –Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies
Beth Tellman – Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies