ETO is CSET's platform for data, tools, and visualizations on the global science and technology landscape. Our user-friendly resources are free and open to all. Our resources include:
- The Map of Science, our tool for analyzing patterns in science and technology research around the world.
- The Country Activity Tracker, a dashboard for measuring and comparing countries in terms of AI research, patenting, and investment.
- Our Supply Chain Explorer, a user-friendly visualization of the supply chain for advanced computer chips.
- The Research Almanac, a dashboard with high-level data on key trends in emerging technology research.
- ORCA, our tracker for open-source software used in science and technology research, with metrics on usage, health, development activity, and community engagement.
Visit the FAQ to learn more about what you can do with them!
Contest rules
What kind of work can be entered? Any original analytic writing totaling no more than 1500 words. Excerpts of longer papers are OK, as are group entries. The analysis should prominently feature data or insights drawn from eligible ETO tools. Analyses can cover any topic for which ETO's resources are relevant, including but not limited to tech and geopolitics, innovation, economic development, science studies, etc. You can write something specifically for the contest, but you are also welcome to submit work you prepared for classes, extracurricular activities, internships, etc. during the fall semester.
How do I enter? Submit your entry using the online submission form. In addition to the entry itself, you'll be asked to provide a short description of the work and answer a few other questions.
How will entries be judged? Entries will be anonymized, then read by CSET staff and scored according to three criteria: (a) originality, resourcefulness and sophistication in using ETO tools; (b) impact of ETO-derived facts and figures on the overall analysis; (c) overall rigor of the analysis.
What are the prizes? First prize winners will each receive $200 and the opportunity to brief their findings to CSET experts. Honorable mention winners will each receive $100 and the same opportunity to brief. In some cases, winners may also be invited to adapt their work for ETO's blog and social media accounts. We will award up to two first prizes and up to two honorable mentions.
What are the other rules?
- Only one entry per person, whether individually or as part of a group. Prizes are awarded per project, not individually (meaning groups must split awards). Groups must have no more than five contributors.
- Any Georgetown undergraduate or graduate student enrolled at least part-time for the fall 2023 semester may enter.
- Entrants must use data or insights from the Map of Science, the Country Activity Tracker, the Supply Chain Explorer, the Research Almanac, and/or ORCA. Entries that rely solely on other ETO resources, such as ETO blog posts or articles from the ETO Scout service, will not be considered.
- Work submitted by an individual must have been 100% written by that individual. If the work was produced by a group, it can be submitted by the group as a whole, but every member of the group must agree to submit.
- Winners must register as Georgetown suppliers to receive monetary prizes. It may take some time to receive the funds after registering. Monetary prizes will be distributed via check or direct deposit.
- Prizes will be awarded at the sole discretion of CSET staff. We reserve the right not to award any or all prizes.
What if I have questions? Send us an e-mail at cset_eto@georgetown.edu with "Analytic Writing Contest" in the subject line. We will answer questions about contest logistics only; in the interest of fairness, we cannot provide feedback or assessments on products prior to submission. We aim to evaluate all entries equally and without bias by responding only to inquiries that apply to all participants. We appreciate your understanding as we work to uphold an equitable process for everyone.
What else do I need to know? Check the FAQ for answers to questions that come up after the contest launches. We'll keep it updated as we get more questions.
FAQ
Are there any examples or demos to help me get started? For inspiration, read the "What can I use it for?" sections in the tools' documentation, or visit ETO's blog for examples of analysis using each tool:
| Tool | Documentation | Blog posts |
|---|---|---|
| Map of Science | What can I use the Map for? | Posts about the Map of Science |
| Country Activity Tracker | What can I use CAT for? | Posts about CAT |
| Research Almanac | What can I use the Almanac for? | Posts about the Almanac |
| Supply Chain Explorer | What can I use the Explorer for? | Posts about the Explorer |
| ORCA | What can I use ORCA for? | Posts about ORCA |
Can I use sources other than ETO resources in my entry? Yes, you're welcome to use outside sources, but keep in mind that entries will be judged in large part based on how well and centrally they use ETO resources.
I'm using the Supply Chain Explorer for my entry. Can the focus of my essay be on a specific company in the semiconductor supply chain, or rather would it be better to focus on the larger trends in that part of the supply chain more? Either approach should be OK in principle. The quality of the analysis is what's important - you can focus the analysis in whichever direction you prefer.
[We'll add more questions as we get them. Stay tuned!]