OU Instructor Amanda Kis Earns Data Skills Certification

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NORMAN, OKLA. — Amanda Kis, Ph.D., a University of Oklahoma meteorology and mathematics instructor, has received a rare certification from The Carpentries, a global organization advancing data literacy and programming skills. For Kis, the certification marks more than a professional achievement; it reflects her dedication to using research-based teaching practices to elevate programming and data analysis skills for college students and scholarly researchers.

The Carpentries provides specialized training for instructors, helping them to teach students and researchers essential data skills, particularly through programming to analyze and visualize complex data. Kis began her journey with The  Carpentries in 2023, seeking sponsorship from University Libraries to achieve instructor certification. By 2024, she had advanced to trainer certification, joining Mark Laufersweiler, Ph.D., research data specialist in the Digital Scholarship and Data Services department at University Libraries, as one of only two certified trainers on the OU campus and about 100 active trainers worldwide. Through her work with The Carpentries, Kis has developed a student-centered teaching approach that, she says, “enhances all my classrooms” and helps her support both new learners and experienced faculty in mastering data skills.

Her teaching emphasizes accessible, research-based methodologies, helping students and academic researchers enhance their data handling and computational skills.

“Everything I have learned about teaching and about how students learn transfers directly from The Carpentries to my classrooms,” Kis said. “This certification reinforces that teaching can be dynamic, accessible and deeply rooted in practices that make data work clear and reproducible.”

Kis earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, double-majoring in atmospheric and oceanic sciences and mathematics, followed by a master’s and doctorate in meteorology from OU. Her own research interests span from studying the environments of nocturnal tornadoes to analyzing meteorology as a profession through social science perspectives. In her classrooms, Kis addresses common misconceptions around weather and climate while promoting skills in scientific writing and public speaking.

Beyond her impact at OU, Kis has brought her expertise to academic and professional communities nationwide. She has instructed The Carpentries workshops for students and researchers at institutions that include Princeton University, Stony Brook University, University of Wyoming and Indiana University. Her workshops have extended to public health and tech initiatives, having worked with the Centers for Disease Control and the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative.

“Carpentries training is not just about teaching syntax,” Kis said. “It’s about making programming skills accessible to students and researchers everywhere so they can conduct better, more efficient and more open research.”

With The Carpentries instructor and trainer certifications, Kis says she hopes to bridge the gap between data literacy and academic coursework and research, as well as to equip the next generation of students and researchers with the tools they need for impactful, data-driven discoveries.

“I love The Carpentries program, not just for the programming skills, but for the unique approach they take in teaching,” Kis said. “When The Carpentries trains their instructors, they focus less on syntax or theoretical computer science and more on guiding beginners through the challenges of learning to program. They equip us with techniques to help newcomers feel capable and confident, ensuring they feel supported every step of the way.”

To learn more about OU’s involvement, contact Carpentries’ representative Mark Laufersweiler at 405-325-3710 or laufers@ou.edu. To learn more about The Carpentries, visit www.carpentries.org.