Patrick Ball
@vm-wylbur.bsky.social
Director of Research @hrdag.org
Reposted by Patrick Ball
Remember: bias in, bias out.
When data collection fails to include certain communities or locations, any analysis or predictions based on that data will also be infected by bias.
When data collection fails to include certain communities or locations, any analysis or predictions based on that data will also be infected by bias.
September 26, 2025 at 9:15 PM
Remember: bias in, bias out.
When data collection fails to include certain communities or locations, any analysis or predictions based on that data will also be infected by bias.
When data collection fails to include certain communities or locations, any analysis or predictions based on that data will also be infected by bias.
Reposted by Patrick Ball
Learn about using police employment and misconduct data housed in the National Police Index and Police Records Access Project, two new databases for use by journalists, attorneys, researchers, and members of the public.
We'll be presenting at @ire.org's AccessFest this weekend.
We'll be presenting at @ire.org's AccessFest this weekend.
October 7, 2025 at 3:28 PM
Learn about using police employment and misconduct data housed in the National Police Index and Police Records Access Project, two new databases for use by journalists, attorneys, researchers, and members of the public.
We'll be presenting at @ire.org's AccessFest this weekend.
We'll be presenting at @ire.org's AccessFest this weekend.
Reposted by Patrick Ball
We used LLMs to analyze and extract information from millions of pages about police abuses in California. Then we used human annotation to check and validate our analysis.
hrdag.substack.com/p/pulling-ba...
hrdag.substack.com/p/pulling-ba...
Pulling Back the Curtain on LLMs & Policing Data
How can AI uncover hidden truths? We used large language models to examine more than a million pages of California police-misconduct records.
hrdag.substack.com
October 14, 2025 at 11:41 PM
We used LLMs to analyze and extract information from millions of pages about police abuses in California. Then we used human annotation to check and validate our analysis.
hrdag.substack.com/p/pulling-ba...
hrdag.substack.com/p/pulling-ba...
I’m proud of my organization @hrdag.org and my colleagues' courage to speak truth to power. Human rights and evidence must never bend to tyranny. hrdag.org/2025/10/21/h...
HRDAG Takes a Stand Against Tyranny in the United States
by Patrick Ball and Megan Price
Today the Human Rights Data Analysis Group (HRDAG) publicly denounces the growing attacks on science and human rights in the United States. We reaffirm our commitment ...
hrdag.org
October 21, 2025 at 7:03 PM
I’m proud of my organization @hrdag.org and my colleagues' courage to speak truth to power. Human rights and evidence must never bend to tyranny. hrdag.org/2025/10/21/h...
Reposted by Patrick Ball
Despite these risks, our staff will continue to support civil society in our collective pursuit of justice.
Read our full statement: hrdag.org/in-the-face-...
Read our full statement: hrdag.org/in-the-face-...
October 21, 2025 at 5:50 PM
Despite these risks, our staff will continue to support civil society in our collective pursuit of justice.
Read our full statement: hrdag.org/in-the-face-...
Read our full statement: hrdag.org/in-the-face-...
Reposted by Patrick Ball
Today, those rights are under attack. The United States is no longer a place where scientists and civil society can publish and engage in our work without fear of reprisal.
This has a chilling effect on those using data to advance justice and accountability.
This has a chilling effect on those using data to advance justice and accountability.
October 21, 2025 at 5:50 PM
Today, those rights are under attack. The United States is no longer a place where scientists and civil society can publish and engage in our work without fear of reprisal.
This has a chilling effect on those using data to advance justice and accountability.
This has a chilling effect on those using data to advance justice and accountability.
Reposted by Patrick Ball
We are data scientists using rigorous scientific methods and statistical analysis to quantify war crimes and human rights abuses. We have long relied on the protections of the U.S. law to protect our right to publish our research, even when it is unpopular.
October 21, 2025 at 5:49 PM
We are data scientists using rigorous scientific methods and statistical analysis to quantify war crimes and human rights abuses. We have long relied on the protections of the U.S. law to protect our right to publish our research, even when it is unpopular.
Reposted by Patrick Ball
HRDAG remains a nonpartisan, nonpolitical organization. Our mission is focused on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Today, we denounce violations of human rights occurring in the United States. hrdag.org/in-the-face-...
Today, we denounce violations of human rights occurring in the United States. hrdag.org/in-the-face-...
October 21, 2025 at 5:49 PM
HRDAG remains a nonpartisan, nonpolitical organization. Our mission is focused on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Today, we denounce violations of human rights occurring in the United States. hrdag.org/in-the-face-...
Today, we denounce violations of human rights occurring in the United States. hrdag.org/in-the-face-...
this was a lot of fun! thanks @plutopia.io
A statistician and founder of the Human Rights Data Analysis Group (HRDAG), Patrick Ball joins the Plutopia podcast to discuss how rigorous data analysis can expose and challenge human rights abuses - even when official data is missing or manipulated. plutopia.io/patrick-ball...
plutopia.io
June 11, 2025 at 1:14 AM
this was a lot of fun! thanks @plutopia.io
Reposted by Patrick Ball
"I’m excited to work with a group of researchers that conduct their work with rigor, transparency, and an appreciation for the gravity of the subject matter."
- Will Taylor, doctoral student with @umich.edu and HRDAG's newest Data Science Fellow
hrdag.org/2025/05/28/d...
- Will Taylor, doctoral student with @umich.edu and HRDAG's newest Data Science Fellow
hrdag.org/2025/05/28/d...
HRDAG Welcomes New Data Science Fellow
HRDAG is pleased to announce our newest Data Science Fellow, Will Taylor, who is currently a doctoral student in political science and public policy at the University of Michigan.
Prior to joining HR...
hrdag.org
June 10, 2025 at 12:51 AM
"I’m excited to work with a group of researchers that conduct their work with rigor, transparency, and an appreciation for the gravity of the subject matter."
- Will Taylor, doctoral student with @umich.edu and HRDAG's newest Data Science Fellow
hrdag.org/2025/05/28/d...
- Will Taylor, doctoral student with @umich.edu and HRDAG's newest Data Science Fellow
hrdag.org/2025/05/28/d...
Reposted by Patrick Ball
“Today’s legal victory sends a crystal-clear message: Americans’ private data stored with the government isn’t the personal playground of unelected billionaires,” Everett Kelley, president of EFF client AFGE, told @bloomberglaw.com.
DOGE Access to Government Personnel Data Blocked by Judge (1)
A federal judge temporarily blocked the Department of Government Efficiency’s access to Office of Personnel Management data, saying OPM broke the law and cybersecurity protocol by allowing access to s...
news.bloomberglaw.com
June 10, 2025 at 8:04 PM
“Today’s legal victory sends a crystal-clear message: Americans’ private data stored with the government isn’t the personal playground of unelected billionaires,” Everett Kelley, president of EFF client AFGE, told @bloomberglaw.com.
Reposted by Patrick Ball
The vast majority of wrongful convictions in one Louisiana parish are connected to the police failing to share key evidence.
We partnered with Innocence Project New Orleans to track and analyze this type of police misconduct data hrdag.org/2025/02/20/i...
We partnered with Innocence Project New Orleans to track and analyze this type of police misconduct data hrdag.org/2025/02/20/i...
How Structuring Data Unburies Critical Louisiana Police Misconduct Data
In Orleans Parish, Louisiana, home of New Orleans, 78 percent of wrongful convictions have been linked to a police officer’s failure to share exculpatory evidence with the defense. This is a rate more...
hrdag.org
May 30, 2025 at 1:49 PM
The vast majority of wrongful convictions in one Louisiana parish are connected to the police failing to share key evidence.
We partnered with Innocence Project New Orleans to track and analyze this type of police misconduct data hrdag.org/2025/02/20/i...
We partnered with Innocence Project New Orleans to track and analyze this type of police misconduct data hrdag.org/2025/02/20/i...
Reposted by Patrick Ball
Will Taylor, a doctoral student from @umich.edu, is joining us for the summer. He'll be using scientific analysis to better understand and interpret human rights violations such as wrongful convictions.
Welcome, Will! hrdag.org/2025/05/28/d...
Welcome, Will! hrdag.org/2025/05/28/d...
HRDAG Welcomes New Data Science Fellow
HRDAG is pleased to announce our newest Data Science Fellow, Will Taylor, who is currently a doctoral student in political science and public policy at the University of Michigan.
Prior to joining HR...
hrdag.org
June 2, 2025 at 5:22 PM
Will Taylor, a doctoral student from @umich.edu, is joining us for the summer. He'll be using scientific analysis to better understand and interpret human rights violations such as wrongful convictions.
Welcome, Will! hrdag.org/2025/05/28/d...
Welcome, Will! hrdag.org/2025/05/28/d...
Reposted by Patrick Ball
"Science gives us tools to go beyond sampled data and talk more accurately about the world." - Patrick Ball,
@hrdag.org's director of research.
www.biotechniques.com/computationa...
@hrdag.org's director of research.
www.biotechniques.com/computationa...
Meet the data analyst putting the perpetrators of genocide in prison
Patrick Ball John Maddox Prize 2024 winner: interviewed on his career, the data analysis methods behind it and the prize.
www.biotechniques.com
June 3, 2025 at 6:24 PM
"Science gives us tools to go beyond sampled data and talk more accurately about the world." - Patrick Ball,
@hrdag.org's director of research.
www.biotechniques.com/computationa...
@hrdag.org's director of research.
www.biotechniques.com/computationa...
Reposted by Patrick Ball
We are data scientists, statisticians, and computer scientists.
We use rigorous scientific methods to analyze and investigate human rights abuses and support partner orgs seeking justice.
We believe human rights work benefits from scientific accuracy, and we're grateful to do our part.
We use rigorous scientific methods to analyze and investigate human rights abuses and support partner orgs seeking justice.
We believe human rights work benefits from scientific accuracy, and we're grateful to do our part.
June 4, 2025 at 1:33 PM
We are data scientists, statisticians, and computer scientists.
We use rigorous scientific methods to analyze and investigate human rights abuses and support partner orgs seeking justice.
We believe human rights work benefits from scientific accuracy, and we're grateful to do our part.
We use rigorous scientific methods to analyze and investigate human rights abuses and support partner orgs seeking justice.
We believe human rights work benefits from scientific accuracy, and we're grateful to do our part.
Reposted by Patrick Ball
"I have learned so much from HRDAG about data collection and documenting harm. It is an honor to support their creative and rigorous team by serving on their board.” - Cynthia Conti-Cook
We are so glad to welcome Cynthia.
hrdag.org/2025/05/28/a...
We are so glad to welcome Cynthia.
hrdag.org/2025/05/28/a...
Announcing New HRDAG Advisory Board Member
HRDAG is delighted to announce a new addition to our Advisory Board, Cynthia Conti-Cook, who came on board in March, 2025. She joins Elizabeth Eagen, Alex Hanna, William Isaac, and Paul Wesson.
Cynth...
hrdag.org
June 6, 2025 at 7:19 PM
"I have learned so much from HRDAG about data collection and documenting harm. It is an honor to support their creative and rigorous team by serving on their board.” - Cynthia Conti-Cook
We are so glad to welcome Cynthia.
hrdag.org/2025/05/28/a...
We are so glad to welcome Cynthia.
hrdag.org/2025/05/28/a...
Reposted by Patrick Ball
One of the great antidotes to fake news and politicized propaganda is statistical analysis of existing datasets using rigorous scientific methods.
Learn about our approach to bringing science to understanding history.
www.biotechniques.com/computationa...
Learn about our approach to bringing science to understanding history.
www.biotechniques.com/computationa...
Meet the data analyst putting the perpetrators of genocide in prison
Patrick Ball John Maddox Prize 2024 winner: interviewed on his career, the data analysis methods behind it and the prize.
www.biotechniques.com
June 10, 2025 at 8:35 PM
One of the great antidotes to fake news and politicized propaganda is statistical analysis of existing datasets using rigorous scientific methods.
Learn about our approach to bringing science to understanding history.
www.biotechniques.com/computationa...
Learn about our approach to bringing science to understanding history.
www.biotechniques.com/computationa...
Reposted by Patrick Ball
A few of our recent projects:
✅ Consolidating data to track police misconduct
✅ Co-creating a new tool to track "wandering police officers" who try to avoid accountability by changing jobs
✅ Categorizing evidence of gender-based violence in police interactions
Read on: hrdag.org/report/2024-...
✅ Consolidating data to track police misconduct
✅ Co-creating a new tool to track "wandering police officers" who try to avoid accountability by changing jobs
✅ Categorizing evidence of gender-based violence in police interactions
Read on: hrdag.org/report/2024-...
May 26, 2025 at 9:16 PM
A few of our recent projects:
✅ Consolidating data to track police misconduct
✅ Co-creating a new tool to track "wandering police officers" who try to avoid accountability by changing jobs
✅ Categorizing evidence of gender-based violence in police interactions
Read on: hrdag.org/report/2024-...
✅ Consolidating data to track police misconduct
✅ Co-creating a new tool to track "wandering police officers" who try to avoid accountability by changing jobs
✅ Categorizing evidence of gender-based violence in police interactions
Read on: hrdag.org/report/2024-...
Reposted by Patrick Ball
More than 75% of wrongful convictions in one parish in Louisiana are connected to the police failing to share key evidence. That's more than twice the national average.
We partnered with Innocence Project New Orleans to dig deeper into the data. hrdag.org/2025/02/20/i...
We partnered with Innocence Project New Orleans to dig deeper into the data. hrdag.org/2025/02/20/i...
How Structuring Data Unburies Critical Louisiana Police Misconduct Data
In Orleans Parish, Louisiana, home of New Orleans, 78 percent of wrongful convictions have been linked to a police officer’s failure to share exculpatory evidence with the defense. This is a rate more...
hrdag.org
May 28, 2025 at 6:44 PM
More than 75% of wrongful convictions in one parish in Louisiana are connected to the police failing to share key evidence. That's more than twice the national average.
We partnered with Innocence Project New Orleans to dig deeper into the data. hrdag.org/2025/02/20/i...
We partnered with Innocence Project New Orleans to dig deeper into the data. hrdag.org/2025/02/20/i...
Reposted by Patrick Ball
Our data scientists, statisticians, and software developers have traveled to 5 continents.
We travel to post-conflict countries, build databases of human rights violations, and conduct rigorous research and analysis to identify the truth.
hrdag.org
We travel to post-conflict countries, build databases of human rights violations, and conduct rigorous research and analysis to identify the truth.
hrdag.org
May 29, 2025 at 6:39 PM
Our data scientists, statisticians, and software developers have traveled to 5 continents.
We travel to post-conflict countries, build databases of human rights violations, and conduct rigorous research and analysis to identify the truth.
hrdag.org
We travel to post-conflict countries, build databases of human rights violations, and conduct rigorous research and analysis to identify the truth.
hrdag.org
Reposted by Patrick Ball
One third of all Americans killed by strangers are killed by the police.
We analyzed overlapping databases to show that, in the U.S., police pose a grave safety threat. Learn about our statistical analysis and read our report, "Violence in Blue":
hrdag.org/2020/06/11/v...
We analyzed overlapping databases to show that, in the U.S., police pose a grave safety threat. Learn about our statistical analysis and read our report, "Violence in Blue":
hrdag.org/2020/06/11/v...
Violence in Blue: The 2020 Update
In March, 2016, Granta published "Violence in Blue," by HRDAG's director of research Patrick Ball. In the article Patrick asserts that one-third of all Americans killed by strangers are killed by poli...
hrdag.org
May 21, 2025 at 1:44 PM
One third of all Americans killed by strangers are killed by the police.
We analyzed overlapping databases to show that, in the U.S., police pose a grave safety threat. Learn about our statistical analysis and read our report, "Violence in Blue":
hrdag.org/2020/06/11/v...
We analyzed overlapping databases to show that, in the U.S., police pose a grave safety threat. Learn about our statistical analysis and read our report, "Violence in Blue":
hrdag.org/2020/06/11/v...
Reposted by Patrick Ball
We are launching a substack newsletter. Please subscribe and tell your friends.
hrdag.substack.com/about
hrdag.substack.com/about
About - Structural Zero
We're 5 data scientists working for a small human rights nonprofit. "Structual Zero" is a monthly newsletter that explores how mathematical and scientific concepts can help us understand the world and...
hrdag.substack.com
May 20, 2025 at 4:48 PM
We are launching a substack newsletter. Please subscribe and tell your friends.
hrdag.substack.com/about
hrdag.substack.com/about
Reposted by Patrick Ball
We believe that mathematics and science are powerful tools for standing up for human rights.
We use statistics and data analysis to hold perpetrators accountable. Learn more at hrdag.org
We use statistics and data analysis to hold perpetrators accountable. Learn more at hrdag.org
May 23, 2025 at 1:42 PM
We believe that mathematics and science are powerful tools for standing up for human rights.
We use statistics and data analysis to hold perpetrators accountable. Learn more at hrdag.org
We use statistics and data analysis to hold perpetrators accountable. Learn more at hrdag.org
This new article in _Chance_ explains how @hrdag.org and our partners use AI to sift massive troves of law enforcement documents to make sense of police reports about use of force. amstat.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
The Use of Unstructured Data to Study Police Use of Force
The challenges and opportunities researchers face when working with unstructured data are hardly new. This article defines unstructured data as data that is not organized according to pre-existing ...
amstat.tandfonline.com
December 19, 2024 at 1:36 AM
This new article in _Chance_ explains how @hrdag.org and our partners use AI to sift massive troves of law enforcement documents to make sense of police reports about use of force. amstat.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....