Ghanaian data scientist, researcher and former journalist Prince Newman has been selected as one of the inaugural recipients of the prestigious Columbia University School of Professional Studies (SPS) Dean’s Fellowship, a highly competitive merit-based award that recognises exceptional academic achievement, professional excellence and community leadership.
The fellowship places Newman among a select group of graduate students chosen from a globally competitive pool of applicants to pursue advanced studies at one of the world’s leading universities.
For Newman, the recognition marks another milestone in a career that has spanned journalism, technology, artificial intelligence research and community development.
Before transitioning into data science, Newman worked as a digital media journalist in Ghana between 2016 and 2018, producing investigative and community-focused reports on illegal mining and the socio-economic challenges facing residents of Obuasi, home to one of Africa’s largest gold mines.
His reports on mining communities and environmental issues continue to be referenced by major media organisations, reflecting the lasting impact of his journalism.
Today, Newman is applying the same passion for accountability to artificial intelligence.
His current research focuses on AI safety, where he is developing an algorithmic coefficient designed to help researchers identify how machine learning systems reproduce bias and generate outcomes that disproportionately affect vulnerable populations.
Reflecting on the connection between his journalism and AI research, Newman said his mission has remained consistent.
“The parallel is not incidental. I worked hard to make visible the human cost of extraction in critical mining townships, and now I am making visible the algorithmic costs of systems that, left unexamined, quietly replicate and amplify inequality at scale. It is the same interrogation of power applied to a rapidly expanding frontier in AI to optimize utility across civic and spatial constraints.”
His professional experience also includes designing and developing the data infrastructure for the Center for Ecumenical and Interreligious Engagement at Seattle University, helping improve data management and research capabilities to strengthen interfaith collaboration across Washington State.
Beyond academia and technology, Newman has also dedicated himself to expanding opportunities for underrepresented communities.
At Foundervine, a global venture accelerator, he managed programmes supporting minority entrepreneurs across the United Kingdom and the African diaspora, helping founders secure investment capital during their early fundraising stages.
He also established a digital skills incubator in 2022 that has trained young Africans in digital technology, equipping them with practical skills to compete in the global digital economy.
At Columbia University, Newman will pursue a Master of Science in Applied Analytics under the Quantitative Management Analytics concentration, where his research will focus on the responsible use of artificial intelligence in high-impact decision-making environments.
Looking ahead, Newman says his commitment remains centred on using technology to improve lives.
“I started my career giving voice to communities that systems had failed. The mission continues, and I can’t wait to contribute immensely to building AI systems that support the underserved.”
His selection for the Columbia University SPS Fellowship not only celebrates academic excellence but also highlights the growing global impact of Ghanaian professionals working at the intersection of technology, research and social justice.
