In today’s increasingly data-driven world, it is often said that “data is the new oil.” Just like oil, data is a valuable resource, but it must be refined and processed to reveal its true potential. This course builds the foundational data skills and visualisation techniques necessary for modern social research, providing the tools to transform raw information into compelling insights about human behaviour and societal trends.

The course begins with an introduction to R, a popular open-source programming language, and the RStudio environment. Students will learn the key principles for effective data handling: how to write code to import, clean, and reshape messy real-world data into structured formats. A core focus is placed on reproducible research, ensuring that data processes are transparent, professional, and easy to share.

As the course progresses, the focus shifts to data storytelling. Students will move beyond basic charts to master the principles of effective visualisation, create animated plots, and build interactive web applications, all in R. Through hands-on exercises, participants will gain the practical skills needed to turn complex datasets into interactive "data products," enabling them to communicate findings to both academic and public audiences with clarity and impact.

No prior experience in programming is required.      

This is a Communication-intensive Courses (CiC)