SoBigData Camp 2026
SoBigData Camp 2026
Do you want to upgrade your data skills, whatever you study?
Overview
The SoBigData Academy Camp 2026 is a free online program where you learn the basics of data science and discover how data can be used to understand society, politics, law, economics, and so much more.
Through a combination of short online courses, live sessions with teachers and experts, and an optional Datathon challenge, you will build concrete skills that you can apply in your studies and future career.
Duration: 1st February – 30th April 2026
Format: online courses + live events + optional Datathon (first two weeks of May)
Workload: about 40 hours in 8 weeks (≈ 5 hours/week)
Target students: open to all students, no programming or maths background required.
Especially designed for students outside computer science and engineering:
- Sociology
- Political science
- Law
- Humanities and social sciences
What will you do during the Camp?
During the Camp, you will:
- Follow a selection of free SoBigData Academy courses (around 40 hours).
- Learn at your own pace with short lessons, quizzes, and micromodules.
- Join live online events with teachers and invited experts.
- Build practical skills in data analysis, ethics, and communication.
The Datathon: optional final challenge
After the learning phase, you will be invited to join an online Datathon in the first two weeks of May 2026.
You will:
- Work with a real dataset related to society or policy.
- Apply what you learned to explore the data.
- Write a 4–5 page report with your analysis and visualisations.
One Global Winner will receive a €500 voucher prize.
Courses you will follow
| Course | What it covers | What you can use it for |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Python | Learn the basics of one of the most popular languages for working with data. | Read and organise data files, do simple calculations, and create basic charts. |
| Databases | Understand how data is stored and searched in structured systems such as surveys or institutional databases. | See how large datasets are organised, and learn how to retrieve information with simple queries. |
| Data Analysis | Learn how to explore, describe, and interpret data patterns to draw meaningful insights. | Evaluate survey results, compare groups, and produce basic indicators for projects, reports, or policy questions. |
| Data Mining & Machine Learning | Discover how computers can find patterns and make predictions from data. | Understand the ideas behind algorithms used in recommendation systems, risk scores, and trend detection. |
| Legal & Ethical Aspects of Data Science | See how data use relates to privacy, law, and ethics (e.g. GDPR, AI Act, data governance). | Recognise risks and good practices when using data in research, policy, or business contexts. |
| Data Theory & Society | Explore how data affects society, politics, culture, and the economy. | Reflect critically on digital platforms, algorithms, and big data in everyday life. |
| Complex Network Analysis | Learn how relationships (people, organisations, websites) can be modelled as networks. | Map and visualise social networks, collaborations, or institutional links. |
| Business Model & Data-Driven Innovation | Understand how data can create value and support new business or policy models. | Design simple data-driven ideas for organisations, start-ups, or public services. |
| Data Visualization & Visual Analytics | Learn how to present information clearly using charts and visual storytelling. | Turn your results into clear, meaningful visuals for presentations, reports, and dashboards. |
What do you get out of it?
- Concrete digital skills in data analysis and ethics.
- A Certificate of Participation from SoBigData RI.
- Certificates for your CV or LinkedIn profile.
- An optional Datathon project as a portfolio piece.
How to join
Registration will open soon, on the 1st of January 2026.