LAVA Talk Data Science @ ACLU of Louisiana with Elijah Appelson (VC ’23)
Friday, February 27, 2026 at 3PM in Rocky 310.

About Elijah:
Elijah Appelson is an activist, mathematician, and computational social scientist. Since 2023, he has served as the first Data Scientist at the ACLU of Louisiana, focusing on immigration, policing, and the broader criminal legal system. In this role, he conducts statistical analyses for legal cases, supports policy change, and develops educational tools, including “Visualizing Police Violence in Louisiana”. Skilled in web scraping, machine learning, and data storytelling, Elijah uses these tools to promote accountability. Previously, he held positions at the Center for Community Alternatives and the Vera Institute of Justice, blending technical expertise with a commitment to civil rights. His research interest is the intersection of technology, human rights, and the political economy. Elijah graduated from Vassar College in 2023 with a Degree in Mathematics (core/pure path).