CTData Collaborative to Hold Workshop Sessions in New London

The Connecticut Data Collaborative (CTData) will be conducting a series of data literacy workshop sessions in New London during the next few weeks on a range of timely data topics. In addition, two virtual statewide workshop sessions will take place in February. Participation in the CTData Academy workshops is free; advance registration is required. The New London-based workshops will be held at The Public Library of New London at 63 Huntington Street.

The focus of the New London sessions will be building data literacy, designing surveys, analyzing qualitative data, creating data visualizations, and data storytelling. The New London workshops will take place on January 22, February 5 and February 26, and March 12, with support provided by the Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut. Virtual CTData Academy sessions - including one that will focus on Data for Democracy - will take place on February 17 and 25.

Data literacy is described as “the ability to systematically and ethically ask and answer real world questions with data.” CTData seeks to support informed decision-making across Connecticut by equipping and empowering people to access and use data. CTData provides data and data support so that nonprofits, state agencies, businesses, and the public can make decisions and work toward equity – all informed by data.

“At CTData, we are dedicated to empowering Connecticut’s nonprofits, residents and public sector leaders with the data, tools, and skills they need to drive positive change,” said CTData Executive Director Michelle Riordan-Nold. “We’re pleased to conduct these upcoming CTData Academy workshops in New London, along with our virtual sessions.”

Intro to Data: Build Your Data Literacy

Thursday, January 22, 10:00AM – 12:30 PM, The Public Library of New London, 63 Huntington Street, New London

Data literacy is essential for making informed decisions. This workshop has been designed to help you build your confidence in working with data by breaking down key concepts, challenging common assumptions, and giving an overview of the entire data life cycle. Whether you are new to data or are looking to strengthen your skills, this session will give you the framework and strategies to help you make sense of numbers. By the end of this workshop, you will:

• Understand the importance of data literacy.
• Gain confidence using data for their personal and professional lives.
• Challenge common misconceptions of data work.
• Discover ethical principles they can use to ensure they use data for good.
• Learn about the data life cycle and how to approach data work systematically.
• This workshop was created for participants at every skill level.

If you are new to data work, you will get an overview of what it can look like and start your data journey with a solid foundation. If you are an experienced data user, you’ll have the opportunity to revisit core concepts, reflect on your current practices, and explore new ways to approach data more ethically, intentionally, and effectively.

Measure What Matters: Build Better Surveys & Forms

Thursday, February 5, 2026, 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM, The Public Library of New London, 63 Huntington Street, New London

Surveys and forms are powerful ways for gathering information about your programs, clients, and services - but designing effective ones requires thoughtful planning, attention to detail, and time. Too often, we collect data only to realize we didn’t ask the right questions to get the information we actually needed. In this workshop, you’ll learn a process for creating clear, intentional surveys and forms that collect meaningful, actionable data - no matter your audience or goals. By the end of this workshop, participants will:

• Develop questions that result in meaningful data collection.
• Write survey questions using best practices.
• Create a high-quality survey.

Making Sense of Words: Analyze Qualitative Data

Thursday, February 5, 2026, 1:30 – 4:30 PM, The Public Library of New London, 63 Huntington Street, New London

Most professionals have access to qualitative data that can help inform their work but may not even realize it. Even after discovering this data, it can be challenging to categorize it so we can gain valuable insights to inform our work. This workshop will provide you with guidelines and practices you can apply to analyze qualitative data and will provide you with the knowledge and skills to help you more confidently gather insights from your qualitative data. By the end of this session, you will:

• Know what qualitative data are and where they come from.
• Learn how to prepare and manage qualitative data.
• Be able to analyze qualitative data.
• Know how to generate and compile insights from qualitative data analysis.

Also upcoming from CTData in the next six weeks, two virtual workshop sessions:

Equity in Data Community of Practice

Tuesday, February 17, 2026, 11:30AM - 1:00PM, Virtual

We are a group of data users in Connecticut who are supporting one another as we work toward more equitable data practices. We focus on racial equity explicitly but not exclusively. Some of the topics we talk about include:

• How can we make sure we don't make certain groups invisible through how we disaggregate our data?
• How can we learn to focus our attention on the strengths, rather than the deficits, of groups we are seeking to serve or support?
• How can we learn from the people who we hope will benefit from our products or services about what their data means to them?
• How can we help the institutions that we are part of to be trustworthy so that people will trust us with their information/data?

Data Defense: Using Key Tools to Advocate for Accessible Public Data

Wednesday, February 25, 2026, 11:00AM – 12:00PM, Virtual

The federal data system has undergone significant changes this past year, impacting everything from national policy to specific issue areas. But how can Connecticut advocates track these shifts and ensure the data we rely on remains accurate and accessible?

This Data for Democracy workshop will explore how to leverage two powerful tools for data advocacy: Data Index, a tracker for monitoring data availability and system changes, and Essential Data, which showcases real-world stories of how federal data helps people. Hear from former U.S. Chief Data Scientist, Denise Ross, policy strategist Meghan Maury, and data scientist Melanie Klein on how these resources can be used to fight for high-quality, accessible public data right here in Connecticut.

Visualize What Matters: Create Impactful Data Visualizations

Thursday, February 26, 2026, 10:00AM - 3:30 PM, The Public Library of New London, 63 Huntington Street, New London

During this hands-on workshop, we will focus on the principles of data visualization and apply them with free data visualization tools. By learning the principles of data visualization, you will be able to create simple, compelling charts that effectively convey insights you gain from data, no matter what tool you use. By the end of this session, you will:

• Learn how to choose a chart based on what is most important in your analysis.
• Be able to make decisions about color and design to communicate your message.
• Be able to create graphs in free data visualization tools.
• Understand how much detail to show, depending on your audience.

For information on additional CTData Academy workshops in the coming months – including the March 12 workshop in New London - Share What Matters: Become a Data Storyteller - visit the CTData Academy calendar or contact Data Engagement Specialist Jackie Vancour at Jackie@ctdata.org with any questions.