From Data4All to Civic Data Labs: building student-led pathways into reproducible and inclusive data practice
What began as a small series of reproducibility workshops in the School of Social Sciences has gradually developed into a much wider student-led community around peer learning, digital skills, mentoring, GitHub portfolios, and reproducible data practice.
Led through the 91直播 Q-Step Centre and developed collaboratively with students and alumni, the initiative now includes Data4All events, Introduction to R workshops, GitHub portfolio sessions, Data Hangouts, mentoring activities, and reproducibility-focused learning communities across Social Sciences.
A central aim of the initiative has been to make data and digital skills feel more accessible and less intimidating for students across different disciplines, particularly for students who may not initially see themselves as 鈥渢echnical鈥�. Rather than focusing only on coding or software, the project emphasises collaboration, transparency, peer learning, and confidence-building.
Dr Tatjana Kecojevi膰, Lecturer in Social Statistics and Director of the 91直播 Q-Step Data Fellowship Programme, said:
One of the central goals of Data4All has been creating supportive and low-pressure environments where students can gradually build confidence with data and digital skills through collaboration and peer learning.
What has been especially rewarding is seeing students move from participants to co-developers, mentors, workshop facilitators, and collaborators who now actively shape the initiative themselves.
Recent activities have included the Data4All Hangout, Introduction to R workshops, reproducibility sessions, GitHub portfolio workshops, and collaborative mentoring activities where students work together on transparent and reproducible workflows.
Students involved in the initiative contribute not only as participants, but also as organisers, GitHub contributors, peer mentors, workshop facilitators, and collaborators. The project therefore places strong emphasis on co-creation and student leadership.
The initiative was also recently presented at the School of Social Sciences Scholarship Showcase, where five students co-presented alongside staff, each showcasing their own activities, GitHub portfolios, and reflections on their experiences with mentoring, reproducibility, collaboration, and digital skills development.
The presentations were exceptionally well received, with colleagues across the School praising the students鈥� confidence, professionalism, collaborative work, and the quality of their portfolios and contributions.
Several students also reflected on how these activities helped strengthen their confidence, presentation skills, sense of community, and employability.
Dr Kecojevi膰 added:
One of the most exciting aspects of this work is seeing students not only develop technical skills, but also confidence, communication skills, mentoring experience, and a sense of ownership over their learning.
What began as small reproducibility workshops has gradually developed into a much wider student-led community around inclusive data practice, mentoring, and digital skills.
Alongside its teaching and learning focus, the initiative is also beginning to develop wider civic and international connections.
One of the next goals is the development of a Q-Step Civic Data Lab initiative that would connect students, community partners, policy organisations, and applied data practice through inclusive and scalable learning pathways.
The wider relevance of this work is also being recognised internationally through the proposal 鈥淚nclusive Data Practice Lab, developed collaboratively with partners from the Office for IT and eGovernment in Serbia, which is selected for the programme.
Dr Kecojevi膰 said:
It has been incredibly encouraging to see this work beginning to connect to conversations beyond our own classrooms and institution.
The support from the School and Faculty has been very important in allowing these activities to grow sustainably over time and create opportunities for students that extend well beyond individual workshops or modules.
The initiative also highlights the growing importance of reproducible and transparent workflows in both academic and professional contexts. By encouraging students to document and reflect on their analytical processes through GitHub and e-portfolios, the project helps students develop transferable skills increasingly valued by employers.
Future plans include expanding mentoring opportunities, developing Civic Data Lab collaborations, strengthening civic and policy partnerships, and creating further opportunities for students to engage with applied and socially impactful data practice.
Further information:
Data4All:
Data4All 2025:
SoSS GitHub Organisation:
Reproducibility resources:
Introduction to R resources:
Scholarship Showcase slides: