Natalie Ayers

Natalie Ayers
Natalie Ayers is a Research Affiliate and Data Science Intern at CrisisReady and a PhD student in Harvard’s Department of Government, focusing on quantitative methods and international relations. She is also affiliated with the Institute of Quantitative Social Sciences (IQSS) at Harvard University.

At CrisisReady, Natalie develops automated data systems for disaster response and creates accessible data repositories for policy and humanitarian applications. Her work includes contributions to the Climateverse project, where she refines climate data accessibility to support informed decision-making on climate change. She also assists in producing comprehensive situation reports on global disasters, emphasizing proactive and data-driven responses.

Natalie’s research centers on computational methods—geospatial analytics, natural language processing, machine learning, and large-scale data management — to enhance understanding, mitigation, and recovery in conflict and disaster settings. Her broader interests include using data science for social good, improving equity in data science, and advancing accessibility in analytics.

Before pursuing her PhD, Natalie worked as a data consultant, specializing in data engineering and visualization. She collaborated with the Center for Effective Global Action at UC Berkeley to create geospatial analytics tutorials and with the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office to develop a public health dashboard analyzing gunshot homicides and opioid deaths. She earned her Master’s in Computational Analysis and Public Policy from the University of Chicago.