York University students are invited to turn numbers into narratives this winter through a new Data Storytelling Challenge.
The competition, hosted by the York University Libraries (YUL), is a campus-wide event open to York undergraduate and graduate students, as well as recent alumni, and encourages participants to combine creativity with analytical thinking to craft compelling visual stories from data.
“This is a great way for students from all of York’s campuses to become informed of our Libraries’ services, especially the resources available at the Markham Campus – such as the Library Makerspace and Visualization Studio,” says Ted Belke, digital engagement librarian.
The theme of this new initiative is Land * Machine.
“Students will be able to ask themselves how storytelling with data can help us understand and cherish the land we inhabit,” says Lana Yuan, critical making and makerspace assistant, noting the theme is designed to prompt students to think about the unique cultural community in Markham, where the University’s newest campus is located.
The asterisk in the theme is also a nod to library terminology. In a library context, an asterisk is a truncation symbol that broadens a search by finding words with the same root.
The challenge connects to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by encouraging students to explore datasets related to land, machines or both.
Participants can choose nearly any format for their submission. Digital creators can work with tools like Power BI, Tableau, Python or R, while hands-on makers can take advantage of the Markham Campus Library’s Makerspace, equipped with 3D printers, laser cutters, sewing machines and more. Even analog approaches, such as sketches or handcrafted pieces, are welcome.
“Data and technology are omnipresent, with their growing footprint siphoning more of our global resources, yet they often feel abstract and disconnected from our lived experience, culture and land,” says Alex Wong, data visualization and analytics librarian. “Through visualization and making, the challenge encourages students to interpret data into stories that connect their everyday life to the broader tapestry of technology and our local environment.”
Some suggested datasets include those from: SDGs, topographic maps or tree inventories for Toronto and Markham; the 2024 U.S. Data Center Energy Usage Report; commuting patterns across Canada; or even personal datasets, like step counts, phone use or local wildlife observations.
“We can help students find the data they are looking for. Connecting students to the information they need and helping them critically apply it are integral functions of libraries,” says Wong.
Aside from the chance to sharpen both data visualization and creative skills, students will compete for cash prizes valued between $125 and $250.
Top works will also be featured in a curated exhibition at the Markham Campus’ Arts, Media, Performance and Design Gallery in March 2026. The exhibition will have an opening gala and juried awards ceremony, and will offer students a platform to showcase their visual storytelling.
The event will also be open to the general public.
“This will give our wider community an opportunity to see what Markham Campus is all about,” says Belke.
Students may submit individually or in small groups (with the prize split among group members). Each student or group may submit one work.
“Whether you’re a coder, engineer, artist, designer, maker, or simply curious about data, this challenge offers a unique opportunity to experiment, connect and create while integrating art with technology,” says Yuan.
For more information and key dates, visit the YUL website.
Students with questions can reach the organizing team at datalib@yorku.ca.
With files from Karen Martin-Robbins