Bringing data to life

Want to learn how the cost of living is calculated? Or where the happiest places in the UK are? What about how we measure the population?

"Bringing data to life" is a series of free online events, hosted by us at the Office for National Statistics (ONS). These events explore the life cycle of how statistics are created, from gathering the data to releasing the figures that make a difference.

We are exploring how statistics can be used to help us make better choices and improve our public services. Everything from health and gross domestic product (GDP) to the environment and migration.

You will hear from people who work with data across government, exploring:

• the difference between data and statistics

• how statistics are created

• where statistics have made an impact

You can also take part in quizzes, ask questions and share your thoughts.

The webinars are free and open to anyone who is curious about data and how statistics are created. They will also be recorded and shared on YouTube for you to watch later.

We will be exploring a range of statistical topics. The final webinar for 2024 will be:

• how are your vitals? exploring health by numbers

There will be more events in 2025.

You can find out more and sign up for the events on Eventbrite.

Air fryers and vinyl records: how we measure the cost of living

Date: 21 November 2024

From a holiday to a cup of coffee, or even your weekly grocery shop, the price we pay for things matters to all of us. By collecting and analysing different consumer prices data, we can closely monitor if prices are going up or down for everyday basket items.

For our third webinar, we were joined by speakers from the ONS exploring how we produce prices statistics. We also heard from His Majesty’s Treasury to explain how they use our statistics to maintain control over public spending and set the direction of the UK’s economic policy.

You can watch the recording on Youtube (plays in new window) or read the presentation slides.

Create your own butterfly effect: citizen science and environmental statistics

Date: 22 October 2024

It’s more important than ever to understand what’s happening to our natural world.

By collecting and analysing lots of data, we can closely monitor the changes that are happening to the environment and create statistics that make a difference – and you can play a part in this too.

For our second webinar, we were joined by speakers from the ONS and Defra, exploring the environmental statistics they produce, such as air quality, wildlife population changes, and climate change concern. They also explained how people can play an important role in producing wildlife statistics through citizen science schemes.

You can watch the recording on YouTube (plays in new window) or read the presentation slides.

Bringing data to life: an introduction to statistics

Date: 30 September 2024

Platform: Microsoft Teams

Data are all around us. When they are collected and analysed to make statistics, they tell us really interesting stories about the world we live in. They can even be used to help people make informed decisions for the better.

That might be your neighbour who wants to understand average house prices in their area. It could be your local council planning public transport services, or even the Bank of England, who sets the UK’s Bank Rate, which affects your interest rate.

But how are data collected, analysed and communicated in a reliable and meaningful way? And how can we all use it to inform our decisions and actions?

For our first webinar, we were joined by speakers from the ONS, Welsh Government, and Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency, exploring the difference between data and statistics.

You can watch the recording on YouTube (plays in new window) or read the presentation slides (PPT, 17.8MB).