(via Ramune Kubilius, Galter Health Sciences Library and Learning Center at Northwestern University)
The University of Waterloo (Ontario, Canada) Libraries is excited to celebrate Love Data Week 2026 (February 9–13) with a series of online, free workshops. An international initiative, Love Data Week is an opportunity to learn about data, research data management best practices and how to create a better, more inclusive world through data. Events will be held via Zoom and are open to everyone (even outside of UWaterloo).
Turning Numbers into Love Letters
Tuesday, February 10, 10:00-11:00 AM CDT
Data are often stored in tables or databases, which provide information about size and variable types but reveal little about underlying patterns. This workshop introduces graphical and numerical techniques to uncover data structure and summarize distributions effectively.
We will explore key descriptive statistics—such as measures of central tendency (mean, median), variability (standard deviation, interquartile range) and shape (skewness, kurtosis)—alongside visual tools like histograms and boxplots. A systematic approach for examining relationships between variables will also be discussed.
Where’s the Indigenous Data? Reframing Data Stewardship
Tuesday, February 10, 12:00-1:00 PM CDT
For Indigenous Peoples, data is not just information, it is a living extension of identity, land, language and community. This session explores Indigenous data sovereignty as a vital response to ongoing data extraction and management.
Participants will examine where Indigenous data currently resides, how it is managed, and what it means to return authority and stewardship to Indigenous communities. Through key frameworks such as the CARE and OCAP principles, this session reframes “Where’s the Data?” as a question of power, place and relationship.
Where in the World Is My Data Set? Web Scraping for Curious People
Wednesday, February 11, 12:00-1:00 PM CDT
Ever feel like the internet is one giant treasure map and your next dataset is hiding just out of sight? Grab your digital compass—this workshop will show you how to uncover data gems tucked inside everyday websites, demystifying web scraping tools and tackling static pages together. You’ll learn how to spot promising data sources, peel back the layers of HTML using R, and transform online chaos into clean, structured information you can actually use. Whether you’re chasing global trends or just curious about what’s possible, you’ll walk away with practical scraping skills—and the confidence to find the data the internet didn’t intend to hand you on a platter. Adventure awaits… bring your curiosity.
Love at First Stat—Rediscover the Fundamentals
Thursday, February 12, 10:00-11:00 AM CDT
Refresh your understanding of fundamental statistical concepts and strengthen your data analysis skills in this interactive workshop. Using R, we’ll revisit key topics such as descriptive statistics, probability distributions, hypothesis testing and basic inferential techniques. Through guided exercises, you’ll learn how to apply these concepts effectively to interpret and analyze data with confidence.
This session is ideal for anyone who wants to reinforce their statistical foundation while gaining practical experience in R. While examples will be demonstrated in R, the approach is applicable for other statistical software, helping you approach data analysis with clarity and precision.