Analysing the government with DuckDB

This month we'll be learning how to analyse data on UK government ministers using a tool called DuckDB.

DuckDB is a powerful and flexible database system that allows us to pull in data in various formats -- even truly massive files -- and answer complex questions quickly using a language called SQL (often pronounced 'sequel'). The database we'll be using has been compiled by the Institute for Government and has information on all UK government ministers since Margaret Thatcher became prime minister in 1979.

In this session we'll be following a tutorial written just for us by the IfG's Philip Nye, a long-time journocoder. We'll learn how to get the data into DuckDB and then how to use SQL to answer questions like: who has been the longest serving minister? What is the gender balance of the cabinet like, and how has it changed over time? And how long do ministers stay in post?

All of our events are suitable for beginners, and no programming experience is required. Bring a laptop along as this a practical, hands-on workshop. Please also sign up for a Dropbox account if you don't already have one so you can edit the shared doc we'll be using during the event.

Schedule
7:00 🚪 Doors open
7:30 🗣 Show and tell
7:40 💻 Tutorial
9:00 🍺 Drinks at the Prince Arthur

If you can't make the main event, you're also welcome to just join us in the pub from 9!

What is Journocoders? We are a community and monthly meetup for journalists and other people in the media who want to learn technical skills for use in their reporting -- and meet likeminded others.

Our events do often fill up, but if it's full please do join the waitlist as spaces do typically become available. And if you find you can no longer make it, please update your RSVP so someone else can take your spot.