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We’ve posted a list of more than 150 expected panels, demos, commons and hands-on classes we’re planning for the 2020 NICAR Conference in New Orleans!
This list is designed to help you make decisions about the conference (show it to your boss!), but it doesn’t include everything we’ll be offering.
A few highlights:
Sign up to get detailed updates on the 2020 NICAR Conference in New Orleans. We’ll let you know any time we make a major announcement, update you on the planning process and remind you of key dates/deadlines surrounding the conference.
We’re planning repeat hands-on classes at the upcoming NICAR Conference in New Orleans, and we need your help.
If you plan to join us in Louisiana for the 2020 NICAR Conference, please consider taking our survey to help us plan those repeat classes. Your responses will help us provide more of the most popular classes, allowing more attendees to get training in key technical skills such as spreadsheets, programming and data visualization. These classes are first-come, first-served in computer labs.
Click here to take the survey. We’ll keep it open until Friday, Dec. 20.
In addition to the open hands-on classes, we offer a limited number of longer hands-on workshops that require pre-registration and an additional fee to guarantee your seat. Learn more about our pre-registered workshops.
NICAR20 will feature nine computer labs and master classes, for a total of 321 hours of sessions — hands-on labs, panels, demos and small group discussions.
Looking for a mentor? Would you like to be a mentor? If so, and you’ll be joining us for the 2020 NICAR Conference in New Orleans, you can now sign up for the conference mentorship program.
IRE will match mentors with mentees and arrange for them to meet at a breakfast during the conference. Please review the program guidelines before applying.
Prospective mentors and mentees: Click here to apply
The NICAR20 mentorship breakfast will be held from 7:30 - 8:45 a.m. on Friday, March 6, in the Carondelet room on the third floor of the conference hotel.
Space is limited in this popular program. IRE will accept applications until midnight CT on Friday, Feb. 7. If the slots are filled before then, your application will be added to a waitlist.
You must register for the conference by Feb. 10 in order to participate.
Planning is underway for the 2020 Computer-Assisted Reporting Conference, and we need your help.
Use this form to share ideas, suggestions and other comments to help us plan the best possible conference. No suggestion is too big or too small. The form will be open through Sept. 15.
We’re also starting an email list so you can keep up with all the news about NICAR20, including speakers, sessions, travel information, fellowship deadlines and more. Sign up here to receive those emails.
We’re expecting a big crowd for NICAR20, which will be March 5-8 in New Orleans. Your input helps ensure that we consider a broad spectrum of speakers and topics.
Here are a few ways you can use the ideas form:
Have several ideas? Great! Fill out the form as many times as you’d like. And help us spread the word by sharing this form with friends and colleagues. (Here’s a sharable bitlink: bit.ly/NICAR20ideas.)
Keep in mind that IRE retains editorial control over the content of its conferences. If we use your idea, our team will take care of reaching out to speakers and finalizing details. Here are some other tips to help you make the best pitch and understand our process.
Please direct questions to conference@ire.org.
Want to listen to the NICAR19 Lightning Talks? We put together a playlist with all 10 talks. You can also listen to individual talks and view the slides using the links below.
1. How to write a data story in five minutes | Youyou Zhou
What does it mean to be a data analyst, a coder, a designer, or all of the above -and- a journalist? The chart maker at the graphic desk writes story. The computer’s guy leads investigations. How’s our work fit into the traditional way of talking about journalism? There are ambiguity, confusion and reluctancy. But there is a framework. I’m going to talk you through the framework, something you can use to inform your reporting process, as well as answer the question “What do you do as a data journalist?”
2. 5 ways to write racist code (with examples) | Alex Garcia
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, New York “stop-and-frisk”, Twitter sentiment analysis — The programs we write, the data we analyze, and the assumptions we make have the potential for unintended consequences to creep into our work. These consequences have the ability to hurt people of color and other marginalized groups. In this lightning talk, learn how these problems begin, see working examples of these, and learn how to recognize and correct it in your next project!
3. How to build a massive database that no one wants you to build | Disha Raychaudhuri
A condensed primer on how we built The Force Report, the most comprehensive statewide database of police use of force, from 506 FOI requests
4. FOIA is my API | Matt Kiefer
Sometimes FOIA is your only option to get the records you need. But writing emails doesn’t scale well when you’re submitting and tracking requests to hundreds or thousands of agencies. In these situations, you can write computer programs to write emails for you, relying on the Freedom of Information Act to do the heavy lifting. I’ll talk about some tools I’ve built to send requests, track responses and even read the attachments that come back.
5. 911, What’s Your Emergency: How insider knowledge of law enforcement has been an asset | Stacy Montemayor
I used to be a 911 dispatcher where I learned a lot about the language, processes and attitudes of law enforcement in the United States. That knowledge recently became an asset as I explored and cleaned 9 years of a police department’s calls for service. I’ll share some of these insights and how to decode certain types of police data.
6. How To Use Your Data Skills To Gain Financial Independence | Sean McMinn
What would be different if you didn’t *need* your paycheck? Would you take three day weekends and coach your daughter’s softball team? Would you turn down stories you didn’t want to do? Or would you just quit your job altogether? Data journalism isn’t just on the higher paying end of reporting jobs, it gives you the mindset to think about how you could become financially independent of your job entirely — and the skills to pull it off.
7. My own worst enemy: Overcoming impostor syndrome* | Kate Martin
Ever feel like you’re a fraud and it’s only a matter of time before someone finds out? Congratulations! You have impostor syndrome! Learn strategies to silence your inner contrarian. *Note: speaker may not be qualified to give this talk.
8. How to beat a serious case of the post-project blues | Christopher Baxter
The glory of your grand investigation has faded, readers have moved on and editors are asking what you’ve got next. But all you want to do is hide under your desk with a weighted blanket. The post-project blues are legit and need to be recognized. I’ll call them out and share ways reporters can cope and editors can help.
9. Blindspotting: Covering communities you’re not a part of | Emmanuel Martinez
Stories about marginalized communities need to be told in a manner that does them justice and doesn’t further perpetuate harm. But it’s hard to tell these stories in an effective manner when you’re not a part of those communities.I will talk about how we can use fault lines and intersectionality to combat our own blind spots and biases to produce better journalism.
10. Save Student Newsrooms. How you can help the next generation of journalists | Caitlin Ostroff
Last year, more than 100 student newspapers banded together to advocate for themselves and the issues they face, including loss of independent funding and censorship by their institutions. Advocacy by students is a start, but professional journalists must play a role in safeguarding independent student journalism as mentors and advocates for the future generation of reporters.
The 2019 CAR Conference begins on Thursday!
Below you'll find a few bits of information to help you prepare for this great conference! For the latest information about panels, speakers and special events at the conference, please visit our conference website at ire.org/nicar19.
Registration
Registration opens Wednesday at 3 p.m. and will be open Thursday, Friday and Saturday in Salon E-F. Be sure to bring photo identification when picking up your name badge.
Weather
Weather looks to be in the 50s and 60s during the week. See the 10-day forecast.
Conference Wifi
Wireless internet is provided to all conference attendees.
Network/SSID: Marriott Conference
Password: IRECAR2019
Have a question or need help in a session?
Room monitors will be stationed in the hallways during sessions and will be happy to answer your questions.
Hands-on classes
This year, we've added a ninth computer lab to provide a better learning experience for everyone. Seating will still be limited in popular classes. If there's a hands-on class you really want to take, plan on getting there early.
We still have a few seats left in hands-on workshops and master classes.
Conference schedules & mobile app
You're tech-savvy and care about the environment, and so do we. Rather than printing 1,000 schedules, we're giving you a few ways to track the full schedule of panels, hands-on sessions and special events with accurate, up-to-the-minute details:
Events, special training and meetups
Be sure to check out the list of events, special training and meetups taking place this week.
Updated IRE Principles (Code of Conduct)
Investigative Reporters & Editors is committed to providing a friendly, safe and welcoming environment for all, regardless of race, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, sexual orientation, physical ability, age, appearance or religion.
IRE supports vigorous debate and welcomes disagreement, while maintaining a civil and respectful community. Discriminatory or harassing behavior is not permitted.
IRE may take any action it deems appropriate to deal with those who violate our principles, including exclusion from our events, forums, listservs and the organization itself.
This code of conduct covers all participants in IRE events and is in effect the entire time from the beginning until the end of our conferences.
If you feel threatened or in immediate jeopardy during an IRE event, you should call building security by calling 0 from a house phone, or local police by dialing 911.
During the scheduled program, concerns can be brought to the attention of IRE staff or board members in person. Staff members will have red ribbons on their name badges, and board members will have blue ribbons. To report a possible violation, email conduct@ire.org.
The 2019 CAR Conference app is now available through Guidebook!
We encourage you to download our mobile guide to enhance your experience at the NICAR19. You’ll be able to plan your day with a personalized schedule, browse maps and connect with other attendees.
The app is free and compatible with iPhones, iPads, iPod Touches and Android devices. Windows Phone 7 and Blackberry users can access the same information via our mobile site.
To get the guide, choose one of the methods below:
If you're joining us at the 2019 CAR Conference next month, don't forget to check out the classes that require pre-registration.
Our hands-on workshops are longer classes designed to help you learn a specific skill or tool. They take place in a computer lab and are taught by veteran instructors. Our Master Classes are half-day workshops geared at less technical skills like leadership, interviewing and editing.
The classes listed below cost $35 for a half-day or $70 for a full day.
Not sure which one is right for you? Here are some suggestions:
If you’re just getting started with data:
If you’re comfortable with spreadsheets and ready to take the next step:
If you want to learn a coding language:
If you’ve dabbled in coding and are ready for more:
If you’re focused on data viz:
If you want to hone the reporting in “computer-assisted reporting”:
If you’re a manager (or any kind of newsroom leader):
It’s not too late to get on our special NICAR19 email list. Make sure you never miss an update in the final weeks before the conference.
Thanks to everyone who submitted a Lighting Talk idea for the 2019 CAR Conference. Now it’s time to narrow the more than 40 ideas down to the 10 talks we’ll hear in Newport Beach. Go online and vote for your favorite proposals. The polls close on Friday, Feb. 22.
What are Lightning Talks? Lightning Talks are 5-minute presentations on particular skills, tools or techniques. Pitches are submitted and voted on by NICAR19 attendees.
When are they? Friday, March 8, at 5 p.m. in Newport Beach.
How does voting work? You'll be able to vote for as many talks as you'd like, and the 10 talks with the most votes will be a part of the Lightning Talks session at NICAR19. The official schedule will be posted on the Lightning Talks site a couple days after voting closes.
Why can’t I see who pitched a talk? For the first time, we’ve decided to make the pitching and voting process anonymous. In years past, the person’s name would be displayed alongside the pitch. Our hope was to use anonymity to encourage a more diverse group of people to submit pitches and bring more focus to the content of the talk in the voting process.
The votes are in and the 2019 NICAR T-shirt has been selected!
Casey Miller won our annual contest. You’ll be able to buy her design at the 2019 CAR Conference in Newport Beach. Any extra shirts will be available for purchase online in the IRE Store.
Thanks to everyone who entered designs and voted.
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