COURSES

Learning outcomes

As a result of this course, students will have learned the following:

• Basic knowledge of data management, esp. data lifecycle, FAIR and Open Data, function and structure of data management plans, research data guidelines, infrastructures and services,
• Basic concepts, principles and approaches as well as tools for working with data, in particular:
  • Data Organization in Spreadsheet: Basics of how to organize tabular data, handle date formatting, carry out quality control and quality assurance and export data to use with downstream applications.
  • Data Cleaning with OpenRefine: Explore, summarize, and clean tabular data reproducibly.
  • Data Analysis and Visualization in R: Import data into R, calculate summary statistics, and create publication-quality graphics.
  • Data Management with SQL: Structure data for database import. Query data within a relational database.

Teaching method(s)

Seminar (6 sessions) and block workshop (1 week)

Extra information on teaching methods: participatory live coding (block course)

Assessment method(s)

Form of assessment: Assignment and short presentation of results, not graded

Lecturers

Birgit Schmidt, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Timo Henne, Péter Kiraly, Julika Mimkes, and further instructors

Course dates

Seminar sessions

Tuesdays, 13.00-15.00 - online
3, 10, and 17 November, 1, 8 and 15 December 2026

Block Course

23-27 November 2026 - online
23 November 2026, 9.00 - 17.00 - Data organization in spreadsheets (morning), OpenRefine (afternoon)
24 November 2026, 9.00-13.00 - SQL
25-27 December 2026, 9.00-13.00 - R

Entry requirements: This course is primarily open to students from disciplines, such as Applied Informatics, Social Sciences, or related disciplines. Students from other disciplines may participate as well, if sufficent places are available. The course is recommended to students from 4th semester, with some former experience in working with research data.

Students from all ENLIGHT partner universities are eligible to participate. Students who meet the requirements mentioned above apply directly to the host university through Application link. Before applying, students should check with their home faculty or programme whether the course can be included in their curriculum and whether the credits will be recognised. Students from Ghent University must obtain faculty approval by completing this form and having it signed by the Faculty Student Administration.

The host university will select the permitted number of students, inform the students as soon as possible following the application deadline (5 October 2026). Selection of course participants will be based on entry requirements and available course capacities. Selection will refer to a “first come first serve” principle across partner universities, i. e. the first applications from each university will be selected to increase diversity in the course. Unsuccessful students will be placed on a waiting list and may get a place in case of drop outs at a later stage.

Students will receive a Transcript of Records following successful completion.

Contact your ENLIGHT coordinator for further information on the application process or consult the linked information:

• University of the Basque Country: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
• University of Bern: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., see application instructions for students at the University of Bern
• University of Bordeaux: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  
• Comenius University Bratislava: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
• University of Galway: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
• Ghent University: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., see information about BIP's and virtual courses
• University of Groningen: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
• University of Göttingen: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (for BIP’s) or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (other courses)
• University of Tartu: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., see information about BIP’s and virtual courses
• Uppsala University: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., see application instructions for students at Uppsala University

Birgit Schmidt, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.