The Education Gateway to the Proto-OKN
Below is a list of different personas we have obtained along Theme One projects and teams along with some pre-determined ones.
The Ethan
Graduate Student
I am a college graduate student pursuing my thesis. My research is in biomedical engineering but the path my research is taking requires the use of Knowledge Graphs! I strive to have the tools to know how to deploy every aspect of my research, however, I currently lack the knowledge and background needed to implement the Knowledge Graph part of my research. I am a visual learner, but I don’t have a lot of time to spare to take the university courses that could help catch me up to where I need to be. I need something that can teach me the basics but I also need it to fit into my busy research schedule.
For someone with a similar background, who has no previous knowledge of what a knowledge graph is or how to use one the optimal learning path would be:
Learning Steps:
The Debbie
Data Scientist / Engineer
(Reskilling/ Upskilling perspective) I am a Data Scientist/ Engineer currently taking a new position on a cool project called KnowWhereGraph! As a developer, I am proficient in Python and C++ while also having an understanding of Set Theory and Propositional Knowledge. While taking this new role in this project, I must add to my skills and preliminary knowledge to familiarize myself with Knowledge Graphs (KGs) both in theory but in practice.
Learning Steps:
The Darwin
Data Scientist
(Convincing perspective) I am a Data Scientist currently working in a corporate role mostly analyzing and sorting HR related data. While on a seminar my company sent me on regarding new data analysis tools, I got introduced to the KG usage. I am a bit skeptical as to how this will make any of my work easier but I would like to learn more about it and if I see its benefits I will apply it to my work.
Learning Steps:
The Connie
Ontologist Technical Lead
At my organization, I am tasked with training junior data scientists; however, my organization uses a knowledge graph. I need to know how to standardize integration in the organization so junior data scientists can continue to grow out an existing knowledge graph as new data is gathered.
Learning Steps:
The Courtney
Data Analyst
I am currently using a series of spreadsheets to store my data. This database system has become complex and takes a while for calculating simple queries. I would like to explore the pros and cons of different storage mediums, like knowledge bases.
Learning Steps:
The Edward
I am the CTO for my organization, in charge of the overall technical direction of the applications and any R&D. I need rapid insights, e.g., regarding functionality and tradeoffs, into whether or not this technology is worth pursuing for our applications, and therefore worth investing time any funds for an optimal outcome.
Learning Steps:
The Chris
I am currently a consultant to stakeholders for the BioBricks Theme. I need to be able to convince them as to why to invest in this project aka as to why KGs are important with this use case. I need to learn the basics about them, mostly their pros.
Learning Steps:
The Carla
I am currently a collaboration facilitator for the Bio-Health Theme. I need to be able to engage with people in the clinical area in order to make research for social patterns facilitated by KGs work in this use case. I need to learn the basics but also to be able to understand how the data we want to collect can eventually be integrated with KGs.
Learning Steps:
The Oratius
I am currently an Ontology and Vocabulary Expert for the Spole Theme. I need to be able to develop relevant ontology vocabulary that can be used with the ontology building of the use case. Therefore I have to learn the background/ behind the scenes material regarding KGs at a theoretical level so I can develop the relevant vocabulary.
Learning Steps:
The Elias
I am an Educational Facilitator for the Integrated Justice Platform (IJP) Theme, working at the intersection of education, data science, and social impact. My role involves bridging the gap between the technical team developing the platform and the educators, researchers, and practitioners who will use it to drive data-informed insights. I engage with high-interest users—including faculty, graduate students, and policy professionals—who are eager to understand and apply computational tools in their work but may need guidance in navigating complex data environments. As an educator, my goal is to translate the sophisticated technical infrastructure of the IJP into clear, usable knowledge that fosters both curiosity and capability among diverse audiences.
Elias background in knowledge graphs is limited, so I need a learning path that begins with the fundamentals of RDF, ontologies, and linked data, and progresses to hands-on work in building and querying graphs. Learning Steps:
The Cameron
am a Curriculum Developer for the DREAM-KG Theme, focused on designing educational materials that connect data science with social impact. My role centers on building a curriculum that helps undergraduate and graduate students; especially those in social work understand how computational tools can be used to address complex social issues like homelessness. I have experience developing learning modules that make technical subjects accessible to diverse audiences, but my direct experience with knowledge graphs is limited. I am motivated by the opportunity to translate the technical framework of DREAM-KG into clear, meaningful educational pathways that empower students to apply data-driven approaches to real-world social problems.
My knowledge of knowledge graph theory and ontology modeling is at an early stage, and I need a structured foundation to build from. I want to learn the theoretical aspects of KGs, including their semantic structure, ontology design, and how they represent interconnected social data.
Learning Steps:
The Ronnie
I am a Resource Developer for the Health and Justice Theme. I plan to learn both the theory and practice of Knowledge Graphs so I can create clear and useful guides for people who are new to this area. My goal is to explain what Knowledge Graphs are, how SPARQL works, and why they matter for health and justice research. I intend to explore tools used for building, validating, and deploying Knowledge Graphs, and document my learning process. I also plan to create tutorials, examples, and FAQs to help others apply these tools. My end goal is to design simple workflows that make Knowledge Graphs easier to use and understand.
My background in public health and community outreach has given me experience working with data related to social and health issues, but my understanding of knowledge graph theory and ontology modeling is still at an early stage. I want to build a strong foundation in how KGs represent connected data, design meaningful ontologies, and apply these skills to real-world health and justice projects.
Learning Steps:
The Usman
I am a User Engagement Facilitator for the CollabNext Theme. I need to be able to learn about KGs in a theoretical and practical level so I can Train developers (mostly students) to navigate the graph, with an ongoing need to address data issues. That also includes any tools that are used for creation/deployment/validation.
Learning Steps:
The Stella
I am a Security Analyst for the Knowledge Graph Construction for Resilient, Trustworthy, and Secure Software Supply Chains Theme. I’m part of a team that’s building tools to help software developers and security engineers better understand the dependencies, vulnerabilities, and risks in their supply chains. My project is to create a visual programming tool so that people who don’t know SPARQL can still graphically build queries and explore connections. Alongside that, I’m developing a SPARQL editor with helpful feedback, and a natural-language interface so users can ask questions in plain English and get answers from our knowledge graph.
I studied computer science and have worked in software security for five years, particularly in risk assessment of third-party components. Though I’ve built threat models, done code audits, and used relational databases, I’ve only recently started working with knowledge graphs.
Learning Steps:
The Silas
I am a Supply Chain Engagement Specialist for the Supply and Demand Open Knowledge Network (SUDOKN) Theme. My work focuses on helping manufacturers, especially small and medium enterprises, understand how shared data and global knowledge connections can strengthen supply networks. I plan to learn about Knowledge Graphs at a conceptual level so I can explain their value without exposing complex technical layers. My goal is to use SUDOKN’s tools to visually demonstrate how suppliers, materials, and capabilities connect across industries. I also hope to collect feedback from manufacturers and translate it into user-friendly engagement strategies that make data collaboration more approachable.
I come from a background in manufacturing partnerships and digital supply chain management, where I helped companies improve visibility and collaboration.
Learning Steps:
The Kai
I am a Data-Centric Knowledge Graph Researcher, passionate about combining data science, NLP, and machine learning to better understand complex environmental systems. My current focus is on soil carbon and agricultural ecosystems, where data comes from many sources, formats, and scales. I first came across Knowledge Graphs while trying to integrate datasets from satellite imagery, field measurements, and literature, and realized traditional databases couldn’t capture all the relationships. A colleague introduced me to KGs, showing how they can model connections semantically. I plan to learn how to construct and use KGs so I can integrate diverse data, uncover hidden relationships, and support richer analyses. I am looking for user-friendly tools, practical guides, and hands-on tutorials that allow me to experiment with KG creation and querying, translating complex environmental datasets into actionable insights for research and policy decisions.
I have a strong foundation in data science, including statistical modeling, machine learning, and NLP for extracting insights from large datasets. My experience spans environmental data collection, processing, and analysis, but I am new to Knowledge Graphs.s
Learning Steps:
The Ella
I am an Executive Engagement Specialist working with a team focused on promoting the business value of Knowledge Graphs (KGs) to executives. I first encountered KGs while preparing a presentation on digital transformation, and I realized that executives were intrigued by their potential but often overwhelmed by technical details. I need to communicate the strategic advantages of KGs, such as their ability to act as digital twins, map complex organizational knowledge, and support better decision-making, in a clear and accessible way. My goal is to create high-level visualizations, case studies, and success stories that highlight outcomes and benefits aligned with business objectives.
I have a background in business strategy and corporate communications, with experience helping executives understand emerging technologies and their impact on operations. While I am familiar with data analytics and enterprise systems, my experience with Knowledge Graphs is limited.
Learning Steps: