Government Analysis Function > Government Statistical Service > GSS champion networks > GSS presentation champions

GSS presentation champions

Presentation champions work to improve the presentation of government statistics, data and analysis.

The main responsibilities for champions are to:

  • attend quarterly Presentation Champion Network meetings
  • act as a point of contact within their departments
  • be a spokesperson for data presentation in their department

Activities

At meetings, champions share cross-government updates and work related to the presentation of statistics. All champions are welcome to share work that has been happening in their department.

Across the year, champions should actively promote presentation best practice within the analytical community and challenge practice positively by offering links to advice, training and support. They should also stay in contact with their Head of Profession to discuss the strategic direction for presentation standards, so that they can feed departmental views into the network.

Anyone within departments who have issues or queries related to the presentation of statistics can go to their local champion. Therefore, champions should make themselves known across their department as the GSS Presentation Champion.

Champions are added to mailing list. This mailing, which is used to:

  • ask for assistance in developing guidance or training
  • share drafts of guidance to gather feedback
  • promote guidance and training once it has been published

Subgroups

The Data Visualisation Guidance subgroup is a cross-government community of people passionate about communicating data effectively. We work together to review, promote and develop guidance that supports accessible data visualisations, while sharing ideas, exploring new approaches and championing best practice across government.

The Data Visualisation Tools (Python) subgroup develops, maintains, and promotes open-source Python tools that support Government Analysis Function data visualisation guidance. Through this work, members collaborate on real-world tool development that helps analysts create more consistent, accessible, and impactful visualisations across government.

The Data visualisation tools (R) subgroup develops R packages to support analysts to follow best practice for data presentation. We currently maintain two packages: afcharts and aftables.

  • afcharts supports users to produce ggplot2 type charts in R following Analysis Function charts and colour palette guidance.
  • aftables supports users to output data tables following Analysis Function spreadsheet guidance.

If you have a suggestion for a new feature or notice a bug please raise a GitHub issue (afcharts issue, aftables issues).

The work of the group involves updating the R code of the packages to add new features, fix bugs and improve documentation. R package development skills aren’t essential for joining the group as we can provide support, but members do need to be confident with basic R coding. The group is a great opportunity to further develop your R skills as well as contributing to a cross-government project. To find out more about the group please email PresentationChampions@dft.gov.uk.

The Commentary subgroup aims for all analytical communication to be clear and engaging. We discuss challenges and share best practice, including publishing Analysis Function guidance. The group is always open to new members and new ideas.

The group responsible for the ‘what’s new report’ collect and collate information from across government about activities related to data presentation that have been carried out. This information helps presentation champions and the wider GSS to understand what is going on across government, and how these relate to our priorities. The report also allows us to identify where joined up working and collaboration can happen, encouraging organisations to support each other.

The sense check board is an online facility for GSS members to seek feedback on their Official and Accredited Official Statistics, whether this is for commentary, data visualisation or other purposes, in accordance with the code of practice and GSS guidance. The sense checker subgroup is meets on a monthly basis to discuss and provide feedback to these user requests.

Become a presentation champion

Each government department is encouraged to nominate a presentation champion (or several). If you would like to be a presentation champion, please email the secretariat.

Please read the privacy notice for champions before you register as a champion.

The name of your departmental champion is available on request. Please email PresentationChampions@dft.gov.uk.

Resources

Basecamp

We have a Basecamp project for Civil Servants interested in presentation and dissemination of statistics and analysis. This has a message board where you can post and answer questions. We encourage all presentation champions to join. Please email analysis.function@ons.gov.uk to request an invite link.

Contact details

Chair: Laura Murphy  (PresentationChampions@dft.gov.uk)

Secretariat: Ella Goodman (Ella.Goodman@ons.gov.uk)

 

Related