SoBigData Academy Camp Instructions
SoBigData Academy Camp Instructions
The SoBigData Academy Camp 2026 has started!
For those who are registered, here you will find some instructions.
If you did not receive any email on the1st of February, please contact Sara Lelli (sara.lelli@isti.cnr.it).
Overview
This Camp is a free, online learning initiative designed for students from all academic backgrounds who are curious about data and want to understand how data science can be used to study society, politics, law, economics, and many other fields.
Over the next few months (from February 2026 to Mid-May 2026), you will follow a structured learning path made of self-paced online courses, live meetings with professors, and, if you complete all compulsory courses, a final Datathon, where you will work with real data and compete for prizes.
No prior programming or data science experience is required.
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)
Camp Structure
1. Online Courses to complete
You must complete the 9 online courses (see list below), which will take about 40 hours (around 5 hours per week).
The courses are organised from basic concepts to more advanced and interdisciplinary topics, in order to provide you with a complete learning path in Data Science.
- All courses are online and self-paced
- Each course includes a final test
- To obtain the course certificate, you must score at least 80%
- Each certificate can be used in your CV or LinkedIn profile
| 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. |
| 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. |
| Complex Network Analysis | Learn how relationships (people, organisations, websites) can be modelled as networks. | Map and visualise social networks, collaborations, or institutional links. |
2. Live Meetings
You are invited to join three live online meetings with SoBigData Academy professors. Participation is encouraged but not mandatory.
Dates (5:30–6:30 p.m. CET):
- 18 February 2026
- 20 March 2026
- 15 April 2026
During these meetings, the professors will introduce themselves, their research, and their courses in the Academy. Moreover, it’s a place in which you can ask questions and clarify doubts about the topics in the courses.
3. When You Finish the Courses
Once you have completed all compulsory courses and obtained the certificates (before the 30th April):
- Send an email to the Learning Designer: sara.lelli@isti.cnr.it, indicating that you have completed the courses.
The Learning Designer will verify your course certificates on the platform (no need to send them in the mail) - We will send you the Certificate of Completion of the SoBigData Camp 2026.
- We will ask if you want to participate in the Datathon giving you further instructions.
Important: Access to the Datathon will be granted only to students who have completed all compulsory courses with certifications.
4. Datathon (4–17 May 2026)
The Datathon will take place during the first two weeks of May 2026.
During the Datathon you will:
- Work with a real dataset
- Apply concepts learned during the courses
- Analyse data step by step
- Reflect on ethical and legal aspects
- Produce visualisations
- Interpret the outcomes
- Write a 4–5 page final report
A template and step-by-step guide will be provided.
Final Certificate, Prizes & Recognition
- Students who complete all the 9 courses will receive a Certificate of Completion, signed by SoBigData Research Infrastructure.
- For those who complete the Datathon, there will be three 500-euro coupon prizes which will be awarded considering different student backgrounds.
- For the best projects, students will be asked to do an interview on the SoBigData Channel.
Registration to SoBigData Academy & its Courses
To start the Camp:
- Register on the SoBigData Academy platform
- Enrol in the compulsory courses
- Start learning at your own pace
A video tutorial is provided to guide you through the registration and enrollment process.
Thank you for joining the SoBigData Academy Camp 2026!
If you need support during the Camp, write to:
Sara Lelli — sara.lelli@isti.cnr.it