Curious about data? Ready to dive into the world of data cleaning, wrangling, and analysis?
Join us for Fun Data Fridays—a lively and hands-on series led by our librarians, running from September to December!
We’ll explore a new data topic designed to boost your skills and confidence in working with data—an essential asset in today’s academic and professional world. Whether you're tackling coursework, launching a research project, or preparing for your future career, these sessions will give you the tools to succeed.
Where? The BRIDGE Finance & Data Lab
When? Every other Friday starting September 26th, for two hours of active, in-person learning
Who? Open to all members of the U of T community
Expect engaging discussions, practical exercises, and a welcoming space to learn and grow. Spots are limited, so be sure to register today—we can’t wait to explore the world of data with you!
- Excel and the Fundamentals of Data — September 26th, 2025, 4-6pm
Learn the basics of using data in spreadsheets, with Excel or Google Sheets. This will be an introduction to a 10 module CCR course called the Foundational Data Literacy Skills Training.
- Messy Data Cleaning (OpenRefine) — October 10th, 2025, 4-6pm
Stuck with messy data? In this workshop you will learn to clean unstructured spreadsheets quickly to make the most of your data. This workshop will quickly allow you to aggregate many cells into one, transpose data from columns to rows, and more.
- Understanding SQL — October 24th, 2025, 4-6pm
Ever been curious about how databases work? In this workshop we will cover the basics of understanding relational databases and how to request information from these databases using Structured Query Language (SQL).
- Storytelling with Data (Power BI) — November 7th, 2025, 4-6pm
Data visualization is key to communicating complex issues in today's fast paced world. This workshop will help you learn the basics of using Power BI, Microsoft’s Business Intelligence software. Using a fictional business’ reports and data, we will develop interactive visualizations and dashboards that are sure to impress your boss or future business investors.
- Visualizing Data with Maps (ArcGIS Online) — November 21th, 2025, 4-6pm
In this workshop we will discuss what aspects of a map make it interpretable and how to apply your research data, or census data to maps to better understand the world around us. You will learn how to map geospatial data, map layers, and how to apply map layers in ArcGIS Online and analyze that data.
- Qualitative Data Analysis (NVivo) — December 5th, 2025, 4-6pm
Working with survey data or a large corpus of research materials can be daunting. Learn the basics of qualitative data analysis through a discussion and practice. We will use NVivo software to help organize, code, and analyze qualitative data by applying mixed methods to research materials.
For more information about Fun Data Friday events, please contact David Kwasny (david.kwasny@utoronto.ca).