International Data Workshop 2023: Africa

The International Data Workshop 2023 (IDW 2023) is a free data service boot camp for subject librarians and area specialists related to African studies. 

This workshop is designed to provide in-depth knowledge about data reference services, data visualization tools and resources, and digital humanities projects.  

Workshop schedule 

We're offering 6 online classes this May. 

See detailed class and instructor information.

Q&A

Here is a summary of questions we received from interested workshop attendees, along with the answers. 

I am a graduate student. Am I eligible to attend this workshop?

This workshop is designed to support African studies and social science librarians who maintain Africana collections in North America. We, however, are more than happy to have faculty members, researchers, and students in the workshop. 

Is there any prior knowledge needed or access to any specific resources?

All instructors will assume that audiences have no prior knowledge of data sets, tools, or technology. Instructors may refer to subscription resources in the class, but they will use the open-access sources and data sets where possible.

Will there be a certificate?

No, we do not provide a certification. 

I selected only the ones I want to attend.  Would I be able to drop in on the others as I am available?

You will receive all class links if you register for any class of this workshop. Feel free to drop in any class if you have some spare time. 

Please talk more about the class mode. It will be an interactive class or more lecture style? 

The level of interaction will differ based on the nature of a class. Instructors may provide hands-on exercises in the classes.

If you have any questions, please contact the workshop preparation team at IDW2023-prep@umich.edu.

IDW 2023 preparation team

Loyd Mbabu

Catherine Morse

Jungwon Yang

Caroline Kayko

The maps in the header image are part of the Clark Library collection:

"Africa nach Robert Vaugondy, Rennell's und Sottzmann's Skizze des nördlichen Theils von Africa, nach den geographischen nachrichten welche die Africanische gesellschaft gessamelt hat. Robert Sayer, Lemprier, Sparrmann, Bruce, Niebuhr, Robert, Dapres & ent. worfen und herausgegeben im Jahre 1794 / bey Ad. Gottl. Schneider und Weigel.". https://quod.lib.umich.edu/c/clark1ic/x-004935878/39015091915929. University of Michigan Library Digital Collections. Accessed December 07, 2022. 

"Map of Africa : and adjoining portions of Europe and Asia / Prepared especially for the National Geographic Magazine.". https://quod.lib.umich.edu/c/clark1ic/x-003286687/39015091883531. University of Michigan Library Digital Collections. Accessed December 07, 2022.