Love Data Week 2026
#TERPSLOVEDATA
Love Data Week 2026 at UMD
International Love Data Week is a celebration of data, taking place every year during the week of Valentine's day. Inspired to share our own love of data, UMD began our own celebration of all things data starting in 2023. This annual event seeks to celebrate data, inform our campus data culture, strengthen our shared data literacy, and promote data privacy and stewardship.
The theme for 2026 is "Where's the data?" With data all around us, we encourage you to use Love Data Week 2026 to think about from where and how we get data, where we keep them, and how we keep them safe.
The Office of Institutional Research, Planning, and Assessment (IRPA), the Division of Information Technology (DIT), the College of Information, the STAMP, the University Career Center, and the University Libraries coordinate a series of data-related activities and events throughout the week to celebrate the use of data on campus.
Click to see details of Love Data Week Events at UMD
Click to learn more about the BTAA Data Viz Championship
Click to learn more about the Sharon A. La Voy Data Impact Award
CONTEXT + CONSEQUENCE
LDW26 KICKOFF
Love Data Week 2026 at UMD kicked off with a compelling look at the intersection of numbers and the human spirit. Chief Data Officer Michelle Appel and Dean Stephanie Shonekan explored how data aren't just for STEM — they're a vital tool for the arts and humanities to track everything from career fulfillment to the emotional power of music. The session underscored the university’s commitment to 'human-centered' data, ensuring that as we move into the era of AI, we don’t lose sight of ethics, context, consequence, and the stories behind the statistics.
"As a humanist, somebody who studies the arts, I use data all the time. [...] We use data not only to operate our college, but also to do our research and our teaching. [...] The arts and humanities can remind us about context, and I'll add consequence, as well, to that: what's the context for these data, and then what are the consequences of this — of what we've learned — on the society, and on people, and on human beings?"
Stephanie Shonekan
Dean, College of Arts and Humanities
"The consequences of getting it wrong [in AI] are so huge. [...] I'm so thankful that the university and your college [...] are thinking in this way, because it is so critical."
Michelle Appel
Assistant Vice President and Chief Data Officer
LEARN AND EARN
TERPS LOVE DATA
DIGITAL BADGES
Students, faculty, and staff at UMD are eligible to earn Digital Badges through their participation in Love Data Week learning experiences.
Participate in two or more of UMD's Love Data Week sessions or complete the scavenger hunt to earn your LDW 2026 badges. These micro-credentials are verifiable, and reflect the data knowledge you've acquired during Love Data Week 2026. Badges can be added to your LinkedIn, CV, or anywhere you want to highlight your data knowledge.
STAY CONNECTED
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Love Data at UMD
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ACTIVITY
WHERE'S THE DATA?
SCAVENGER HUNT
Get ready to explore the data-filled world around you — online and on campus!
As part of this year’s Love Data Week celebration at the University of Maryland, you’re invited to take part in one of two interactive scavenger hunts inspired by this year’s theme: “Where's the data?”
Step 1: Choose your path
DIGITAL EDITION
The digital path sends you across UMD websites and tools to uncover campus data, facts, and services.
LIBRARY EDITION
The library path leads you through UMD’s campus libraries to discover hidden QR codes and uncover how our libraries support data exploration, research, and discovery.
Step 2: Scan your first clue
Use the QR code or link below to launch the first clue and begin your data journey.
Step 3: Follow all clues to complete the hunt
Follow the clues, submit your answers, and complete the hunt to claim your badge! Complete either scavenger hunt to earn a Data Scavenger digital badge and bragging rights for your data discovery skills!
And for an extra incentive: the first 10 finishers will receive a surprise prize — designed with heart and made just for Love Data Week!
Whether you're a seasoned data detective or just curious about how UMD collects, uses, and shares information, this challenge is a fun and rewarding way to connect, learn, and explore. Along the way, you'll discover some of the many data services and tools available to students, researchers, and the UMD community.
DATA HELP
DATA ASSISTANCE
Need help with campus data?
We are here to help! Contact us at irpa@umd.edu or 301-405-5590. We provide support in using the kinds of data you see on reports.umd.edu, but we also partner with people across the campus on a variety of projects.
