With focus on data storytelling, Developing Data Analytics Capabilities Conference offers hands-on learning, applied examples
Data shapes decisions large and small, from public policy to everyday choices like whether to grab an umbrella. Data storytelling, which turns complex data into clear insights, helps strengthen those decisions at all levels.
The University of Georgia’s upcoming Developing Data Analytics Capabilities Conference will focus on data storytelling’s power to inform decision-making, as well as data stewardship—the collection, organization and maintenance of data.
The fourth annual conference, hosted by the UGA Carl Vinson Institute of Government, is set for March 25-26 at the UGA Georgia Center for Continuing Education & Hotel in Athens. The event is designed for practitioners who work with data in government and academic settings.
“This conference is one of the few venues where practitioners can find real, practical, applied application of data analytics and data science in the government space. It’s training-intensive, with hands-on learning and applied examples from both experts in the field and peers who are doing this work,” said David Tanner, Institute of Government associate director.
The event will offer detailed use cases in keynote, plenary and breakout sessions, plus optional pre-conference workshops. Attendees will build their skills and hear unique examples of practitioners’ work, such as weather forecasting.
Marshall Shepherd, Regents Professor, Georgia Athletic Association Distinguished Professor and UGA Franklin College of Arts and Science associate dean and director of UGA’s Department of Geography’s Atmospheric Sciences program, will join The Weather Channel’s Matt Sitkowski and Mike Chesterfield to present a keynote session on how The Weather Channel’s team translates data into easy-to-understand forecasts through data storytelling.
“The public, industry and policymakers consume weather information every day for decisions, planning and risk assessment. Apps, radars and satellites show the final product, but there is no weather fairy,” Shepherd said. “The information starts as data, 1’s and 0’s. That numeric data becomes tornado warnings, flood emergency messaging and hurricane cones that help the public, governments, the military and companies.”
Atlanta Regional Commission Chief Research and Innovation Officer Ann Carpenter will present a keynote session on the critical role data scientists play in government decision-making.
Attendees can choose from three conference tracks based on interests and skill level. The Leadership track is for participants in management and leadership who want basic knowledge. People who collect, analyze and present data will benefit from the Analyst track. Finally, the Technical track is for those who perform more complex work with data including data management, development of sematic models and applied statical modeling.
“The breakout sessions are great for learning new skills and tricks for getting analytical work done more efficiently or presenting data more clearly. Every year I go to the conference, I leave with new ideas or new connections that help me keep my work moving forward,” said conference attendee and presenter Stefanie Lozez-Howard, director of Data, Analytics and Research at the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities.
The 10 optional pre-conference workshops will delve deeper into data-related topics and skills. The March 24 workshops can be added to registration for $95 each.
Attendees can choose from pre-conference sessions on Power BI, artificial intelligence and more. Don Addison of the UGA Terry College of Business will lead a workshop on change management, and Kristina Jaskyte of the UGA School of Social Work will lead one on human-centered design.
“We are excited about this year’s conference and proud to collaborate with faculty from three UGA colleges and schools to provide high-quality education and training designed to inform decision-making,” said Institute of Government Director Rob Gordon. “Combining faculty expertise with insights from government and industry leaders creates exceptional learning opportunities for everyone attending.”
This year’s sponsors include IPC Global, Qlik, Deloitte and Ernst & Young.
The conference is an offering from the Institute of Government’s Georgia Data Innovation Hub, which aims to enhance state and local government data analytics capabilities. Through the hub, the institute offers support and trainings, including this conference and the Data Analysis and Decision Making for Governments Certificate program. The program’s third cohort will graduate at this year’s conference.
More information and registration are available here.