Summer FORC 2026 Recap

Building Skills - and a Research Community

The 2026 Summer FORC Camp showed the power of bringing people, disciplines, and expertise together around research computing. The program generated 559 expressions of interest and welcomed 188 attendees from across NYU - from computer science, engineering, mathematics, and data science to biology, psychology, public health, journalism, international relations, museum studies, business, and more. Across three days of immersive instruction, 73+ students successfully completed their tracks, while 71+ people attended the FORC keynote Public Data as a Public Good: Lessons from the Data Rescue Project, delivered by Lynda Kellam of the University of Pennsylvania Libraries and the Data Rescue Project.

This year's FORC went beyond learning individual tools. Students coded together, experimented with AI, analyzed and visualized data, discussed responsible research practices, and exchanged ideas across disciplines. Feedback highlighted the practical, hands-on learning, clear instruction, and collaborative experience, with students describing FORC as “collaborative,” “enriching,” “thought-provoking,” “skill building,” “informative,” and “amazing.” That same spirit was at the heart of the program - a partnership among NYU Data Services (NYU Libraries and NYU IT–TRAIL), the GSAS Master's College, and the Arts & Science Office of Teaching Excellence and Innovation, working together to build the data, computational, and AI skills essential to research across NYU.

Last but certainly not least, a heartfelt thank you to everyone who made Summer FORC 2026 possible! From our organizers, funders, leadership, instructors, and student consultants to the teams supporting technology, logistics, catering, photography, facilities, and everything behind the scenes - your dedication and care brought FORC to life. This success belongs to all of you, and we are deeply grateful!