From tracking down information to symbolising human experiences, this book is your guide to telling more effective, empathetic and evidence-based data stories.
Drawing on cross-disciplinary research and first-hand accounts of projects ranging from public health to housing justice, The Data Storytelling Workbook introduces key concepts, challenges and problem-solving strategies in the emerging field of data storytelling. Filled with practical exercises and activities, the workbook offers interactive training materials that can be used for teaching and professional development. By approaching both ‘data’ and ‘storytelling’ in a broad sense, the book combines theory and practice around real-world data storytelling scenarios, offering critical reflection alongside practical and creative solutions to challenges in the data storytelling process, from tracking down hard to find information, to the ethics of visualising difficult subjects like death and human rights.
Introduction
1. A Narrative Approach to Data Storytelling
2. Navigating Data's Unequal Terrain
3. Visual Data Storytelling
4. Data Storytelling with Maps
5. Future-Proof Principles
Index
Biography
Anna Feigenbaum is a Principal Academic in Digital Storytelling at Bournemouth University, UK, where she runs the Civic Media Hub, a knowledge exchange enterprise that specialises in data storytelling for human rights, social equity, and health and wellbeing. Anna regularly publishes in media outlets and academic journals. She is a co-author of Protest Camps (2013) and author of Tear Gas (2017).
Aria Alamalhodaei is an independent writer and researcher. She received her Master of Arts in Art History from the Courtauld Institute of Art, London, UK. She has written extensively about science, technology, and art for academic and popular publications.
The Data Storytelling Workbook is accessibly written and filled with helpful advice, excellent examples and useful activities. It is a welcome resource for everyone trying to engage – and engage with – data in responsible ways. -Professor Helen Kennedy, Chair in Digital Society, University of Sheffield
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The Data Storytelling Workbook is A breath of fresh air! The book combines cutting-edge theory, visual ethics, and pragmatic design advice in an entertaining and accessible format. Educators, journalists, mediamakers, advocates and data scientists should have this on hand for guidance in navigating the complex (and urgent) questions surrounding how we use numbers responsibly to move people to action.
Catherine D'Ignazio, Director of the Data + Feminism Lab, MIT
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Anna and Aria have constructedA delightfully contemporary text that translates a complex topic into a truly accessible one. They elegantly weaves together robust theories with nuanced pragmatism, practical tactics and compelling case studies. This is a compelling, wide-ranging workbook that will equip academics, students, and professionals alike with the confidence to fully embrace this in-demand capability. - Andy Kirk, Visualising Data Ltd_______
This remarkable book inspires as it teaches us how to tell better stories with data. It’s a book We’ll be turning to it again and again to learn from the range of international projects represented, to get ideas and practical tips we can incorporate and to share with colleagues and students. It’s a book we’ve been missing and we’re so glad it’s here.
- Data Justice Lab, Cardiff University
