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Impacts Lab

Where Analytics Meets Impact

Analytics in Service of Community

The Impacts Lab is the Callais Institute's hands-on analytics consulting arm. Teams of 3–5 upper-level BUAN students work alongside faculty supervisors to tackle real data problems for nonprofit organizations, government agencies, and social enterprises in the New Orleans region.

Projects span 8–12 weeks per semester, covering everything from data cleaning and statistical analysis to predictive modeling and dashboard development. Every engagement ends with a client-ready deliverable and a public presentation.

For students, the Impacts Lab is often the most formative experience of their degree — a chance to work with messy, real-world data and see analytics make a tangible difference.

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The Process

From Intake to Deliverable

Every Impacts Lab project follows a structured engagement model — rigorous enough for real results, flexible enough for diverse challenges.

1) Intake & Scoping

Client submits a project brief. Faculty and lab leads assess scope, feasibility, and data availability.

2) Team Assignment

3–5 student analysts matched to the project based on skills and interests. Faculty supervisor assigned.

3) Discovery Sprint

Kickoff meeting with client. Data ingested, cleaned, and explored. Problem defined precisely.

4) Analysis & Modeling

Core analytical work: statistical analysis, visualization, modeling, and insight generation.

5) Deliverable & Presentation

Final report, dashboard, or dataset delivered. Public presentation at semester's end.

Who We Serve

Eligible Partner Organizations

The Impacts Lab gives priority to organizations serving communities in the Greater New Orleans area.