Telling Stories about Data

Join us for a public lecture in conjunction with the first Cambridge Data School.

The objectives of the Data School are to:

• democratise access to tools and methods for digital data collection, analysis and reporting
• foster the development of ethical practices in digital research
• encourage dialogue between academia, civil society, the public sector and industry about the social, ethical and policy implications of digital research methods

The Data School leverages expertise in internet-mediated research and digital verification methods providing practical instructions and knowledge exchange across sectors, professions and disciplines. Participants will be drawn from civil society groups, academia and the public sector.

Applications for this year's school are now closed, but this keynote presentation is open to everyone. Spaces are limited so please book here to reserve your place, or use the online registration link on this page.

Cambridge Data School Keynote: Paul Bradshaw

Data journalism promises to offer a more factual, objective picture of the world, but to what extent can data journalists fulfil that promise? How can storytelling techniques be useful in engaging audiences with factual data and what risks do they hold? Drawing on over a decade’s experience as a data journalist, academic and author, Paul Bradshaw will discuss the challenges facing data journalists when telling stories with data, and how an awareness of narrative techniques and critical issues in the field can create better journalism.

About the speaker

Paul Bradshaw runs the MA in Data Journalism and the MA Multiplatform and Mobile Journalism at Birmingham City University, and also works as a consulting data journalist with the BBC England Data Unit. In 2016 he won the CNN MultiChoice Sport Reporting Award for an investigation into people trafficking in football. A journalist, writer and trainer, he has worked with news organisations including The Guardian, Telegraph, Mirror, Der Tagesspiegel and The Bureau of Investigative Journalism. He publishes the Online Journalism Blog, is the co-founder of the award-winning investigative journalism network HelpMeInvestigate.com, and has been listed on both Journalism.co.uk's  list of leading innovators in media, and the US Poynter Institute's list of the 35 most influential people in social media.