Bristol Data Intelligence Network | Meetup | Jul 2026

Welcome, Bristol Data Intelligence Network!

Bristol Data Intelligence Network is a community-based networking event bringing people together to meet peers, share stories, and build meaningful relationships around data intelligence.

Hosted by Datacove, award-winning Brighton-based R, Python and Shiny experts, these events also offer inspiring talks, hands-on sessions, and open knowledge sharing, all in a friendly, inclusive environment. Whether you’re just starting out in data or a seasoned expert, there’s always something new to discover, spark your curiosity, and take back to the office.

We run four events each year in Bristol, offering fresh insights, lively discussions, and opportunities to connect with the wider Data Intelligence Network, anchored by the EARL Data Intelligence Conference, our flagship event held in Brighton each October.

The events are supported by the generous team at DeskLodge Bristol.

--- Talk Information ---

Is gymflation real? Investigating with R and LLMs
Chris Bowden, CTO at Polecat

Chris will be sharing his experience working with the Ellmer package in R. Using a project on "gymflation", this talk explores practical ways of working with large language models from R. Topics include structured responses, in-context learning, multimodal inputs, and selecting models for different tasks, with an emphasis on using OpenRouter.

--- Schedule & Refreshments ---

Now, refreshments! Drinks and nibbles will be served from 6pm. Talks will commence at 6:30pm/6:45pm and the event will conclude at 8pm. The conversation will continue after the event at a local pub.

--- Sponsorship Information ---

Our event relies heavily on sponsorship from companies that attend. Please contact the organisers or [admin@datacove.co.uk](https://datacove.co.uk/) to get involved.

--- Arrival Instructions ---

Please arrive at DeskLodge House on Redcliffe way. Once reporting to reception, they will escort you upstairs to the event room.

If requiring assistance, the reception at DeskLodge and our organisers will aid you.

What3Words: ///boss.apron.jams

--- Registration Etiquette ---

At our meetups, the event is sometimes capped by the space. We’re committed to keeping these events accessible for everyone, but to make that possible, we need your help. Please ensure your registration is kept up to date. If your plans change, simply update your RSVP to reflect your availability. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

Please feel free to spread the word. We look forward to seeing you all again!