Data Storytelling Comes to Liverpool: Transforming Research Communication

The UCL Social Data Institute continued its innovative workshop series with the second of a series of events in Liverpool on 29^th and 30^th May that aimed to transform the approach to data led research communication.

The ability to weave compelling narratives from complex research findings has become an essential skill. The UCL Social Data Institute recognised this shift and brought its groundbreaking workshop series to Liverpool, hosting the first of two planned events that are changing how researchers communicate their work.

A Warm Welcome to Liverpool
The Liverpool event opened with an insightful guest talk by Geographic Data Service Director Alex Singleton, who introduced attendees to the service and its mission. Singleton outlined those diverse types of data available through the service and explained the collaborative model that defines their approach to working with data partners and researchers. This introduction set the stage perfectly for understanding how data storytelling fits into the broader landscape of geographic research and public engagement.

Beyond Numbers: The Power of Narrative
Data, no matter how ground-breaking, often fails to capture attention or drive change on its own. As participants discovered during the Liverpool workshop, this is where data storytelling comes in. By combining analytical insights with narrative techniques, researchers can transform dense datasets into compelling stories that resonate with both academic peers and a range of stakeholders.

The workshop demonstrated that effective data storytelling isn't about dumbing down research, it is about making complex findings accessible without sacrificing scientific rigour. Participants learned that the most impactful research communication happens when technical proficiency and accurate findings meet a human connection.

The Art of Data Narrative in Action
During the workshop, participants learnt about storytelling fundamentals that form the backbone of effective research communication. The workshop focused on helping researchers identify their core message, understand their audience, and craft narratives that make complex findings both accessible and memorable.

Through hands-on exercises, researchers practiced translating statistical analyses into engaging stories that maintain scientific integrity while capturing imagination. The collaborative atmosphere fostered by the UCL Social Data Institute / Geographic Data Service's approach was evident throughout, with participants sharing insights and building on each other's ideas.

Looking Ahead: Technical Storytelling on the Horizon
While the Liverpool event concentrated on narrative foundations, participants also learned about the upcoming second workshop in the series. This complementary session will bridge the gap between technical capability and narrative impact, teaching researchers to use popular tools to develop interactive dashboards and visualizations that bring research to life. This technical training component will further help researchers create dynamic, explorable presentations of their findings that engage audiences on multiple levels.

Building a Community of Research Communicators
The success of the event highlighted the UCL Social Data Institute/Geographic Data Service's commitment to fostering a community of researchers who can effectively communicate their work beyond academic circles. By providing both the conceptual framework and practical tools for data storytelling, the service is empowering early-career researchers to become advocates for their own research and for the broader value of geographic data science.

The collaborative model that Alex Singleton outlined in his opening talk was reflected throughout the workshop, with participants not just learning from instructors but from each other's diverse research backgrounds and communication challenges.

Here is some feedback provided by two of the course participants:

“This workshop turned out to be much more practical richer and than what I thought would just be the basic definitions and theories of data analysis…. Igor provided a brilliant analogy for cluster analysis that makes it so easy to understand, making a total sense of why and how we should use this method. More amazingly, we were given practical tools to take away from this workshop, including the criteria for assessing data stories.” Amanda Kartikasari working in Process Improvement in Higher Education.

“I particularly enjoyed delving deeper into the building blocks of what makes a good data story. I found it fascinating to learn about how to 'deconstruct' a particular research project or focus and rethink its structure and goals in order to make the use of data storytelling most effective.” Ana Marques working in Graphic Design / Science Communication

The success of this first Liverpool event sets the stage for the second workshop taking place on the 26 and 27 June, where participants will develop technical skills related to data storytelling. Following this successful event in Liverpool, and inaugural event in London, the course will arrive in Oxford later in the year.

Register your interest here for the next Data Storytelling for Digital Research Infrastructure workshops and we will be in touch once bookings open. 

Links:

Geographic Data Service
Register your interest for the next Data Storytelling for Digital Research Infrastructure workshops