Alliance for Data Science Professionals
With the aim of building confidence in how data is used, The Alliance for Data Science Professionals (AfDSP) brings together organisations and individuals to ensure professional, ethical and well-governed best practice.
Connect with the wider data science community to share knowledge and grow your network.
Gain professional recognition for the skills you have.
Help promote professional standards to ensure the ethical and professional use of data.
Demonstrate your competence and experience to colleagues, employers and wider society.
What is AfDSP?
While the skills of data scientists are increasingly in demand BCS has been working in collaboration with a number of other bodies to develop a professional framework for those working within the field.
These new industry-wide standards look to address current issues, such as data breaches, the misuse of data in modelling and bias in artificial intelligence. They can give people confidence that their data is being used ethically, stored safely and analysed robustly.
The Alliance has developed a set of professional standards that are available at two levels:
- Data Science Professional
- Advanced Data Science Professional
Each require the provision of written evidence demonstrating how you meet the standard, however the Advanced Data Science Professional also includes a professional discussion.
When can I apply?
Once you’ve become a BCS member, you’ll need to evidence your competence and knowledge in a written application providing statements against the AfDSP criteria.
If you’re already a BCS member, you can access the AfDSP application process in MyBCS.
First you will need to determine which is the right level for you. In both cases you’ll need to submit a series of statements describing your experience against the AfDSP criteria.
Here are useful guides to completing your application:
Your supporter should be somebody that is familiar with your work and able to offer a reliable opinion of your knowledge and experience. We'll ask them to review your application before confirming their support.
For Data Science Professional - After your supporter has responded, your application will be assessed by a BCS Volunteer Assessor who has undergone Assessor Training. Their recommendation will then be passed on to you following the assessment. The assessor may be in contact should they require any additional information.
For Advanced Data Science Professional - After your supporter has responded, your application will be assessed by a BCS Volunteer Assessor who has undergone Assessor Training. If successful at this stage you will proceed to a Professional Discussion with 2 BCS Volunteer Assessor who have undergone Assessor Training.
Their recommendation will then be passed on to you following the assessment.
On registration, you’re awarded the appropriate certificate, which you can hold as proof of your registration.
Get involved
Your knowledge, experience and opinion are valuable commodities which you can invest in BCS to support your CPD as well as the development of our industry.
- Mentoring network - inspiring another person, and seeing them progress and benefit from your insight, is a hugely rewarding experience.
- Volunteering - grow your professional network and the profile of your field, by taking an active role in the running of our membership community.
CPD
As part of your new registration we recommend that you keep you CPD up to date.
As a BCS member, you can access a wide range of professional development opportunities, as well as resources and tools to help you plan and record your CPD activities, including BCS Discover.
Become a Chartered IT Professional
If you apply to become an Advanced Data Science professional and are successful, you can apply to become a registered as a Chartered IT Professional (CITP) and we will waive the joining fee.
What does it cost?
Data Science Professional:
- One-off application fee £50
- Annual Registration Fee £25
Advanced Data Science Professional:
- One-off application fee £160
- Annual registration fee £46
Members
The Alliance for Data Science Professionals (AfDSP) comprises of BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT, the Royal Statistical Society, the Operational Research Society, the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications, the Alan Turing Institute, and the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) and is backed by the Royal Academy of Engineering and the Royal Society.
