What good is open data if we don't know how to find and use it?

The digital age has ushered in new opportunities to better understand our communities and demand accountability from our governments. In this intensive two-day master class, digital publishing expert Phillip Smith will introduce some of the "working with data" tricks he's learned in over 15 years working with advocacy organizations, publishers and groups such as Civic Access and the Electoral Data Consortium.

Through instructor demonstration, seminar discussion and hands-on exercises, this class will introduce freely available software and resources used to find, explore, understand and present public data to engage a wide audience.

On the first day, participants will brainstorm and commit to an achievable mini-project that they will work through over the course of the weekend. By the end of the second day, they'll have a solid understanding of the tools and techniques necessary to make their own data representations relevant to their lines of investigation -- and will have already made progress on their personal data project.

Lunch, snacks and refreshments provided.

Who's it for? Journalists, bloggers, civic enthusiasts, activists, researchers and citizens – anyone who wants to better understand and utilize public data for the common good.

Required Materials: Laptop computer with wireless capability. Elementary knowledge of Python recommended but not required.

Phillip Smith is a digital publishing expert. For more than a decade and a half, Phillip has worked with values-based organizations and progressive publishers to help them make sense of data, and to use data to tell compelling stories. He currently works to advance the field of "news innovation" through Mozilla and The Tyee. Past clients include Grist.org, High Country News, Mother Jones, New Internationalist, Rabble, This Magazine, and Yes! Magazine.

Follow Phillip on Twitter @phillipadsmith.

Visit Phillip's blog.

Don't live in Vancouver? The Tyee has partnered with the Rosedale on Robson hotel to offer a 25% discount to Master Class participants. The Rosedale on Robson is a locally-owned, eco-friendly hotel within walking distance of the classes. Just ask for The Tyee rate at the time of booking.