Thirty-three students attend national data journalism conference

March 14, 2023

Two students taking a selfie
CoJMC student Lexie Worden snaps a selfie with her twin sister Faith Worden between sessions at NICAR.

Thirty-three students from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's College of Journalism and Mass Communications recently attended NICAR, an annual data journalism conference hosted by the Investigative Reporters and Editors. This year’s conference was in Nashville from March 1-5. 

The students were thrilled for the opportunity to learn from some of the top data journalists in the country. During the conference, the students attended a variety of sessions on topics ranging from using Google Sheets to report local news to using machine learning in statewide investigations. They heard from journalists from The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, NBC and CBS News, BBC, Associated Press, and dozens of others. The conference provided an unparalleled opportunity for the students to network with and learn from some of the most accomplished data journalists in the industry.

 

CoJMC students Kloee Sander and Sadie Lamplot take a selfie with their NICAR passes during a session.
CoJMC students Kloee Sander and Sadie Lamplot take a selfie with their NICAR passes during a session.

 

"I didn’t expect how welcoming the speakers and fellow attendees would be and was surprised by the amount of opportunities to work in a hands-on learning environment," said senior journalism and political science major Lauren Penington. "I got to go through code diaries for the data behind stories, learn the coding techniques used and apply them. I didn’t just take away knowledge of what others were doing in the industry or abstract ideas of what I could do in my own stories, but specific, applicable skills that I know will be useful to me moving forward."

Some of the other conference topics that the students participated in included data visualization, data cleaning, and data-driven storytelling. They also learned about how to find and use public records and how to work with data sets in different formats.

 

Advertising and public relations student Jeanine Akamba asks a question at the end of a NICAR housing crisis panel.
Advertising and public relations student Jeanine Akamba asks a question at the end of a NICAR housing crisis panel.

"Being around all those smart people doing really interesting journalism is inspiring," CoJMC Professor of Journalism Matt Waite said. "I've been going to this conference since 1997 and have learned something new every time. It's simultaneously energizing and overwhelming."

The College of Journalism and Mass Communications is committed to providing its students with opportunities to gain real-world experience and develop their skills in the field of journalism. The college offers a range of programs and resources to support students in their pursuit of a career in journalism.

Senior journalism and advertising and public relations major Odelia Amenyah said the most interesting session she went to was about using investigative reporting techniques to report on algorithms in society. 

"I think it’s important to ask questions and to evaluate how algorithms and AI can be positive or negative," she said. "I learned that we need to check and listen to people when they have concerns because there are real life consequences when we don’t."

Attendees are listed alphabetically by last name, with their major(s) and hometown.

NameMajor(s)Hometown
Jeannine Akambaadvertising and public relationsLincoln, NE
Odelia Amenyahadvertising and public relations, journalismLincoln, NE
Clare ArterjournalismSterling, NE
Sawyer BelairjournalismOmaha, NE
Megan BuffingtonjournalismPequot Lakes, MN
LeAnne Bugayadvertising and public relations, journalismBellevue, NE
Macy Byarsbroadcasting, journalismOmaha, NE
Emma Caitoadvertising and public relationsOmaha, NE
Hannah Christensenjournalism, psychologyDouglas, NE
Nora Crimminsadvertising and public relations, sports media and communicationElburn, IL
Naomi Delkamilleradvertising and public relations, journalismOmaha, NE
Walter Fitzsimmons advertising and public relationsLincoln, NE
Maddie Hansenadvertising and public relations, journalismOmaha, NE
Alex Kopfjournalism, sports media and communicationOmaha, NE
Jillian Lamkinsbroadcasting, sports media and communicationApple Valley, MN
Sadie Lamplotadvertising and public relationsThurston, NE
Ben Lampmanjournalism, psychologyOmaha, NE
Ryan Luetkemeyerbroadcasting, journalismWebster Groves, MO
Bella Macerankasports media and communicationMission Viejo, CA
Morgan Molladvertising and public relationsMadison, WI
Lauren Peningtonjournalism, political scienceParker, CO
Nandini Rainikindiadvertising and public relations, broadcasting, journalismOverland Park, KS
Owen ReimerjournalismBellevue, NE
Hannah Roebkebroadcasting, sports media and communicationSeward, NE
Sarah Rosenbergadvertising and public relationsBloomington, MN
Kloee SanderbroadcastingLincoln, NE
Caitlyn ThomasjournalismPapillion, NE
Lance ViebroadcastingNickerson, NE
Madison Vincisports media and communicationWrightstown, NJ
Paige Waite advertising and public relationsLincoln, NE
Gus Wenke Katholsports media and communicationLincoln, NE
Faith Wordenadvertising and public relations, sports media and communicationOmaha, NE
Lexie Wordenadvertising and public relations, journalismOmaha, NE

 

The costs for airfare, lodging and conference registration were provided by a generous donation from the Martin and Doris Deepe family.

CoJMC faculty sponsors were Matt Waite, Jill Martin and Chris Graves. For more information about the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's College of Journalism and Mass Communications, please visit https://journalism.unl.edu/.