TORONTO, ONTARIO – Humber College’s storyLAB and Statistics Canada are partnering to help journalists uncover and report the stories that matter to Canadians.
Humber will host the first-ever national demonstration of the Canadian Statistical Geospatial Explorer (Explorer), a new interactive data visualization tool from Statistics Canada.
The Explorer, in development since last year, is part of Statistics Canada’s commitment to developing new approaches and products to deliver data quickly and clearly. The Explorer allows users to visualize thousands of indicators from census, health and community data tables at granular levels.
Humber was selected to host this training because of its expertise and leadership in data-driven journalism. This includes launching Data Driven, an annual symposium dedicated to data-driven storytelling in Canadian journalism and the creation of an annual grant for journalists in partnership with the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting.
“What Statistics Canada has created is a game-changer for Canadian journalists, researchers and engaged citizens,” says storyLAB director David Weisz. “Being able to easily pinpoint and export geospatial census data in a way tailored to data journalists is a dream come true.”
The Explorer demonstration will be Wednesday, May 13 at 12 pm EST via Microsoft Teams. The session will help attendees to navigate the new tool which includes a Hub and Application.
Statistics Canada employees attended the 2019 Data Driven Symposium and were inspired by Humber’s approach to journalism.
“Humber’s Data Driven provided us with a clear vision of how we can help simplify a data journalist’s workflow,” said Paul Deschambault, Project Lead, Statistical Geomatics Centre, Government of Canada. “Journalists are Statistics Canada’s key partners in communicating with Canadians. Data Driven brought forth collaborative innovation between Statistics Canada and data journalists.”
About Humber storyLAB
Humber’s storyLAB leverages the multidisciplinary nature of the Faculty of Media & Creative Arts and the Office of Applied Research and Innovation to create collaborative opportunities between Humber staff, students and industry partners. As part of a commitment to fostering data journalism, the storyLAB hosts Data Driven, an annual data journalism symposium for coders, investigative reporters, developers and data advocates, and co-sponsors the storyLAB Data Journalism Grant with The Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting.
About Humber College Institute of Technology & Advanced Learning
Humber College is focused on our students' future. As a global leader in polytechnic education, Humber students receive in-depth theoretical learning and hands-on experience with applied research and extensive industry connections. Humber provides career-focused education to more than 33,000 full-time and 23,000 part-time and continuing education students across three campuses. A comprehensive range of credentials including honours undergraduate degrees, Ontario graduate certificates, diplomas, apprenticeships and certificates, prepare career-ready global citizens to move seamlessly from education to employment. More than 86 per cent of Humber graduates are employed within six months of completing their studies. Visit humber.ca.
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For more information, please contact:
Humber College - Media Relations
416.675.5095
mediarelations@humber.ca