In this post Christian Reynolds, Reader in Food Policy at the Centre for Food Policy, City University, London, introduces the upcoming H3 X Food & You 2: Data Hackathon and Visualization Event.
What is a data hackathon and visualization event?
A data hackathon typically involves participants working together on data-related projects within a short timeframe. Participants work on real-world data challenges, aiming to develop innovative solutions using data analysis, machine learning, and other data science techniques. Teams often consist of individuals with diverse skills, interests, and disciplines, fostering a collaborative environment. Hackathons offer participants the chance to learn new tools and technologies, improve their skills, and gain practical experience. We have expanded our title to include “visualization” to signpost to potential participants that the communication of results and findings is equally as important as doing nifty and fun things with the data itself – and can be a totally different skillset that is welcome at the event.
Why do we care about pedagogy or knowledge exchange tools?
Pedagogy is the method and practice of teaching and requires an understanding of how students learn, designing effective instructional materials, and creating an engaging learning environment. As researchers who teach students and engage with diverse communities, we have found that data-led events can offer an engaging method to support student learning, providing benefits that can significantly enhance the learning experience on a variety of topics – either content or methodology focused.
What are the benefits of data hackathon and visualization events as pedagogical and knowledge exchange tools?
We think data hackathon (and visualization) events are fantastic pedagogical tools, providing an engaging platform for learning by encouraging problem solving, creativity, critical thinking, and data analysis skills. Hackathons allow students to work on real-world datasets and problems, helping them apply theoretical knowledge and skills in practical scenarios. The competitive and time-bound nature of hackathons can encourage students to think creatively and come up with innovative solutions to complex problems.
Hackathons bring together people from a range of disciplines and backgrounds, from students and academics to government employees and data enthusiasts. This provides students with collaborative and networking experiences, and the chance to learn new skills from others, helping to develop a range of valuable skills. As hackathons bring together participants from diverse backgrounds, they can also be highly effective as knowledge exchange tools. Hack event organizers often provide access to datasets, tools, and platforms that participants would not typically use. The collaborative environment of hack events supports the exchange of knowledge, expertise, theoretical approaches, and data analysis techniques between participants.
H3 x F&Y2 Hackathon and Visualization Event as a Pedagogical and Knowledge Exchange Tool.
The H3 X Food & You 2: Data Hack-a-thon and Visualization event will take place on Thursday 13 March in Sheffield and Thursday 20 March in London. The event will use data from the Food Standards Agency and data from the Healthy Soil, Healthy Food, Healthy People (H3) project.
Food and You 2 is an official statistics survey commissioned by the Food Standards Agency, which explores consumers’ food-related knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours. The survey covers a range of topics, including food safety practices in the home, food insecurity, and food shopping practices.
Healthy Soil, Healthy Food, Healthy People (H3) is an interdisciplinary project that seeks to transform the UK food system. As part of the H3 project, a 24-hour recall survey was conducted, providing data about a range of topics, including what people eat, food preparation practices, and experiences of food insecurity.
The event will bring together a diverse range of participants, including students, academics, policymakers, and data analysts. The event will recruit students from a range of relevant disciplines, including data analytics, nutrition, public health, and policy. Participants will be presented with questions proposed by NGOs, government organizations, and academics, allowing students to apply their taught skills to address real-world problems. The event will be supported by experts in data visualization and GIS mapping, providing students with the opportunity to learn new skills and approaches. Participants will get the opportunity to present their insights to academics, NGOs, government organizations, and policymakers at an online seminar hosted by the Food Standards Agency.
We hope that the event will not only provide an engaging learning experience for students but also foster connections between the participants that will last beyond the event.
If you are interested in taking part in the H3 X Food & You 2: Data Hackathon and Visualization Event, register now!
About the author
Christian Reynolds is a Reader in Food Policy at the Centre for Food Policy, City University, London; and is the Senior Tutor for Research at the Centre for Food Policy. Christian is the City, University of London lead for the UK Food Systems Centre for Doctoral Training (UKFS-CDT) (joint with Dr Rebecca Wells). Christian was part of the UK Data Service Data Impact Fellow cohort in 2019.