From beginners to programmers, CAR Conference offers robust lineup

Journalists across the data spectrum – from beginners to sophisticated programmers – will find plenty of sessions to boost their watchdog power during the national CAR Conference.

No other journalism conference provides the scope and depth of hands-on software training available each year at the CAR Conference. Beginners can learn how to crunch numbers in spreadsheets and databases, without needing to know a computer programming language. Intermediate classes tackle data visualization, mapping and more. The rocket scientists among us will be challenged to push themselves deeper into sophisticated programming tools, visuals, apps and interactives.

Panel sessions will help journalists, students and educators learn the latest story ideas, documents and data. Topics include housing, sports, K-12 education, higher education, criminal justice, racial inequity, business and natural disasters. Also be sure to catch The Year in CAR – always a crowd-pleasing review of key data stories from the past year. A can’t-miss session for broadcasters will show how to transform data into knockout visuals.

Because of heightened concerns about the new Trump Administration and its handling of information and data, several special sessions are planned:

• Fighting First Amendment attacks: Bring your practical tips, success stories and tools to share. We'll crowdsource proven ways to overcome obstacles to getting the sources, data and documents you need. No speakers for this one; you’re all the speakers.
• Security tools for journalists: Several sessions will provide practical, easy-to-follow apps and tactics to protect yourself as a journalist. Topics include encryption for email and instant messaging, as well as secure ways to enable whistleblowers and leakers to share information with you.
• The First 100 Days of Data: Lessons learned and tactics moving forward in obtaining data under a new administration.

Regardless of your data skills and journalism experience, you’ll be able to customize your training path during the conference.

For first-time attendees, please see our primer on understanding the lingo and dynamics of the conference. We also encourage you to join us Friday, February 24 at noon CST to learn what NICAR17 holds for you. The 20-minute informal hangout will highlight conference features for first-timers. Feel free to ask questions. The session will be recorded and posted later.