Session Talks: Ethics in Data Visualization

Speakers: Alice Feng, Visual Journalist, Axios; Nancy Shin, Scholarly Communications Librarian, Johns Hopkins University Welch Medical Library

A deep dive into how you can make your data visualizations inclusive and accessible.

Do No Harm with Data Visualization (Alice Feng)
In today’s increasingly diverse world, data communicators must ensure that the way they analyze and present their data upholds the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and avoids perpetuating stereotypes, biases, or other types of harm. Taking a DEI perspective means considering how the specific lived experiences and perspectives of the people and communities we are studying, as well as our readers, will perceive the way we communicate data and information. This talk will offer a set of starting points on how to apply an equity lens to the way we visualize data, including considerations surrounding the use of language, color, icons and imagery, ordering, and more. Participants should walk away from this talk with an understanding of how to create and evaluate data-driven visuals that embody a DEI approach.

Data Visualizations for Everybody – A Lesson on Accessibility (Nancy Shin)
Ever wondered how to make your data visualizations appealing to everybody? Discover and learn the do’s and don’ts of data visualizations as it relates to accessibility. Effective data visualizations should be more than just something “pretty” for the select few; effective visualizations should be functional and accessible to everybody! Learn the basics of accessible data visualizations in this 15-minute talk. No prior knowledge required.

This is a part of the Love Data Week 2024 events. Check the full event schedule and register here https://dataservices.library.jhu.edu/love-data-week/schedule/.