Join Glyn Thomas and Amber Macintyre in this interactive workshop as they explore the digital tactics used across the political spectrum to shape public opinion and engage voters during election campaigns. The session will begin with an overview of these tactics, followed by case studies showcasing effective methods for engaging voters in contentious elections. Attendees will also participate in workshop activities designed for civil society educators, aimed at supporting safe and informative voter literacy beyond online campaigns. Gain practical insights and tools to enhance voter engagement and ensure a well-informed electorate.

In this presentation, Eva Modebadze, Incident Manager at TikTok, will explore the critical intersection of trust, safety, and human rights within the realm of big tech. She will discuss the challenges faced in data-driven decision-making and outline the pathways for advancing trust and safety in technology. Gain insights into the strategies and solutions that can address these challenges and ensure that technology aligns with fundamental human rights.

In this session, Lela Vujanić will present key trends and findings from the recently launched Global Project Oasis, a comprehensive research initiative examining independent digital native media across 68 countries. She will focus on trends in Central and Eastern Europe and demonstrate practical ways to leverage the project’s media directory in your work, whether you're a researcher, journalist, or programmer. She will also discuss the challenges of research methodology and the complexities of analyzing large datasets.

We encourage you to meet new people or reconnect with old friends and grab a lunch at one of the nearby cafes.

Data may seem dry or impersonal, but hidden within it are untold stories waiting to be uncovered. This talk explores how re-examining information from fresh perspectives can reveal these meaningful stories. Through three case studies, the audience will see how these hidden stories have led to significant insights, whether in understanding historical events, making sense of everyday realities, or imagining future possibilities. By highlighting real-world examples, the talk emphasizes the importance of curiosity and asking the right questions to discover what lies beyond the surface. Attendees will be encouraged to dig deeper and find the unexpected within the known.

In this interactive workshop, Raz Besaleli will explore the safety and ethical considerations involved in building an AI product. He will use real-world case studies and hands-on exercises to understand the challenges related to ethics and user safety, and learn strategies for addressing such challenges throughout the AI product lifecycle from various stakeholder perspectives. Engage with practical approaches and case studies to gain actionable insights into what questions to ask, which precautions to take, and what to expect when creating safe and impactful AI.

Drawing from Piero's expertise in information design and Jacopo's background in data-driven journalism, this workshop offers a unique blend of creative and strategic approaches to data visualization.  

In this hands-on workshop, you'll: 

• Transform raw data into impactful visual narratives 

• Master Datawrapper for creating stunning charts and maps 

• Explore the role of information design in shaping policy agendas 

• Learn techniques for addressing pressing global concerns through data 

• Collaborate in teams to bring datasets to life 

• Create polished, embeddable visualizations ready for your next story 

• Discover how to leverage generative AI to streamline data wrangling, analysis, cleaning, and visualization processes  

You'll gain: 

• Deep insights into the fundamentals of data visualization 

• Enhanced data literacy and presentation skills 

• Strategies for publishing data-driven stories in major international outlets 

• Practical knowledge of using AI tools to facilitate data operations • Networking opportunities with fellow professionals in the field

In this talk, Ashley Kirk will tell us how the Guardian’s Visuals team use visual journalism to present data and tell stories. He’ll focus on three of their projects and through these, he'll walk us through some insights we can learn about visual journalism.