1. Hacks and hackers in the classroom
Megan Knight
University of Central Lancashire
maknight@uclan.ac.uk
@meganknight
http://www.meganknight.org

2. The problem

Data journalism is increasingly important in the
newsroom

Journalists and journalism students are often
unfamiliar with data and tools

Data analysis is not easy to learn quickly
− Frustration, fear of failure
− Mathphobia

3. Hacks and Hackers

A model in which journalists (hacks) and
computer and data experts work together on
projects over the course of a day or a
weekend

Developed as a way to transfer skills and
collaborate

Aimed at professional journalists

Succesful at the time, but little evidence of
long-term engagement with data journalism

4. The cases DJCamp

Three events since 2010

Professional journalists, varying numbers of
“hackers”

Manchester, Preston and Istanbul

Two “HotPot” student projects

7. s

8. Conclusions

Start with the story, then find the data

Cleaning takes at least five times as long as
anticipated

The more data-experienced the journalist, the
more hackers you can have in the room

Research the possible data sets and sources,
but don't deliver them at once

Final storytelling presentations are essential

Follow-up?

9. Questions?
Megan Knight
University of Central Lancashire
maknight@uclan.ac.uk
@meganknight
http://www.meganknight.org

10. Questions?
Megan Knight
University of Central Lancashire
maknight@uclan.ac.uk
@meganknight
http://www.meganknight.org