Data visualization. Presentation design. Research communication. Data equity. I bring these topics to life for audiences ranging from academic researchers to corporate teams to government analysts — with practical takeaways they can use the next day.
If you’re looking for a speaker who can make data compelling, accessible, and actionable, let’s talk.
Speaking Topics
Better Data Visualizations
The data visualization field combines data analysis, graphic design, journalism, and statistics to help analysts provide their audiences with greater insights into their research. In this presentation, I lay the groundwork for using data visualization to communicate more effectively — demonstrating different types of visualizations and their uses, and how to avoid graphics that result in ineffective or inaccurate perceptions of data.
Perfect for audiences looking for an overview of data visualization best practices.
Better Data Communication
In this talk, I lay out three principles for better data visualization — Show the Data, Reduce the Clutter, and Integrate Graphics and Text — and three principles for better presentations: Visualize, Unify, and Focus. Together, with examples both good and bad, I demonstrate how anyone can more effectively communicate their data and elicit insight.
Perfect for audiences looking for a targeted review of ways to improve how they communicate their data.
Better Presentations
When faced with giving a presentation, researchers and analysts often simply convert their reports to slides — text becomes bullets, figures get copied and pasted. The problem is that presentations are a fundamentally different form of communication than reports or journal articles. In this presentation, I give you the conceptual underpinnings behind better presentations, and the tools and techniques to put them into practice.
Perfect for audiences looking to improve the way they present their work to different audiences.
Applying Racial Equity Awareness in Data Visualization
How can analysts, researchers, and developers apply a race- and ethnicity-conscious lens to their data visualization work? Just as we carefully consider our written words, we should be equally careful in how we visually present data — including the words we use in and around those visuals. In this talk, I discuss a variety of techniques that data visualization producers should consider when creating visuals with a DEI approach.
Perfect for audiences looking to improve how they communicate with and about people and communities of focus, and is the focus of the Do No Harm Guide: Applying Equity Awareness in Data Visualization.
Elevate the Debate
To make a difference in today’s policy ecosystem, scholars must think beyond the academic journal. Developing a communication strategy recognizes the importance of making research accessible to wider audiences, decisionmakers, and policymakers. In this talk, I provide a high-level review of the Elevate the Debate book and give you key skills to effectively plan and communicate your data and analysis.
Perfect for audiences looking to create a strategic plan to communicate their work. Based on my book Elevate the Debate: A Multilayered Approach to Communicating Your Research.
Visualizing Text: A Tour of Qualitative Data Visualizations
When thinking about visualizing data, most people think of quantitative charts — lines, bars, pies. But there are also graphs that communicate qualitative data collected through observations, interviews, focus groups, and surveys. In this talk, I discuss a variety of visualization types and approaches for communicating qualitative data.
Perfect for audiences working with qualitative data such as questionnaires, interviews, focus groups, or observations.
Data Currency — Unlocking Value With Visualization
Most organizations recognize the innate value of data, but still struggle to illustrate how data can unlock business value. In this talk I share insights into using visualization to spark cultural shifts within organizations — showing how making data visual and digestible helps leadership tackle emerging problems and make better decisions.
Perfect for audiences who want to improve how their organizations process, analyze, and communicate their data.
Once Upon a Time: From Data to Stories
The word “stories” has become synonymous with visualizing data — but most of us don’t actually tell stories when we visualize data. In this talk, I investigate how we define storytelling, distinguish it from narration and annotation, and examine how different fields use — or fail to use — stories in their analysis.
Perfect for audiences trying to tell stories with their data and looking for better ways to do so.
Details and Logistics
My presentations are usually 35–45 minutes with additional time for Q&A and discussion. I also offer shorter presentations, half-, full-, and multi-day workshops, breakout sessions, and panel presentations. I often tailor my presentations to the needs of your organization and event.
I am flexible in working with your presentation equipment and set-up — please contact me to discuss the details.