This free workshop series sponsored by Fondren Library and the Center for Research Computing provides hands-on training on the basics of finding, managing, analyzing, visualizing, and sharing data as well as in using research computing resources.
To register, visit the Calendar of Events and Courses or follow the links below.
Don't see a workshop you'd like to attend? Let us know what you'd like to see offered!
Join our research data news mailing list for workshop announcements and data news.
Questions? Contact us at researchdata@rice.edu if you have any questions or want to cancel a class you registered for.
Summer 2026 Workshop Schedule
Learn R at Lunch HouR!
In July and August, we invite you to learn the basics of R and programming skills for improving your research reproducibility and workflow!
Each online workshop lasts 50 minutes, is scheduled during the lunch hour (12:05 - 12:55 pm) to accommodate your busy schedule, and focuses on a single topic. Attend as many workshops as you like; register for individual sessions with the links below.
- Basics of R and RStudio (Zoom) - Thu, Jul 30 2026, 12:05 - 12:55pm
- Importing and Indexing Data in R (Zoom) - Fri, Jul 31 2026, 12:05 - 12:55pm
- Cleaning Data in R - Part 1 (Zoom) - Mon, Aug 3 2026, 12:05 - 12:55pm
- Cleaning Data in R - Part 2 (Zoom) - Tue, Aug 4 2026, 12:05 - 12:55pm
- Cleaning Data in R - Part 3 (Zoom) - Tue, Aug 5 2026, 12:05 - 12:55pm
- Wrangling Data in R with dplyr - Part 1 (Zoom) - Thu, Aug 6 2026, 12:05 - 12:55pm
- Wrangling Data in R with dplyr - Part 2 (Zoom) - Fri, Aug 7 2026, 12:05 - 12:55pm
- Basic Statistics in R - Part 1 (Zoom) - Mon, Aug 10 2026, 12:05 - 12:55pm
- Basic Statistics in R - Part 2 (Zoom) - Tue, Aug 11 2026, 12:05 - 12:55pm
- Data Visualization in R - Part 1 (Zoom) - Thu, Aug 13 2026, 12:05 - 12:55pm
- Data Visualization in R - Part 2 (Zoom) - Fri, Aug 14 2026, 12:05 - 12:55pm
Software Carpentry @ Rice
RDS offers two-day Software Carpentry workshops generally in early and late summer that teach foundational coding and data science skills to researchers based on the Carpentries curriculum. The goal is to train and foster an active, inclusive, diverse community that promotes and models the importance of software and data in research.
- Software Carpentry with R - May 7-8, 2026
- Software Carpentry with Python - August 20-21, 2026
Excel
- Excel Pivot Tables - Asynchronous course available anytime on Canvas - Register here and click Enroll
GIS (Geographic Information Systems)
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are used for everything from simple map-making and data location to more complex cartography, engaging visualizations, spatial analysis, interactive dashboards, and modeling. The GIS/Data Center at Rice's Fondren Library offers free introductory and intermediate workshops on a variety of GIS topics, most using the popular ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS StoryMaps, and ArcGIS Online software. Find the full list of GIS courses here.
Open Government Data for Research
Available on demand: To request individual research consultancy or group instruction on open government data, email Anna Xiong, jax2@rice.edu, Head of Kelley Center for Government Information and Civic Engagement. Self-paced training materials are available through Fondren Library’s online LibGuide. Previously offered short courses include:
- Introduction to U.S. Federal Data and Statistical Resources
- Navigating World Bank, United Nations, and OECD Data Sources and Publications
- Exploring Federal Reserve Bank Data and Analytical Tools
- Introduction to U.S. Census Data and Open Data Platforms
- Analyzing and Visualizing Census Data Using APIs, Excel, R, and Python