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Research Code Academy

Learn Python and R programming skills this summer to work effectively with your research data. Geared for Northwestern faculty, staff, postdocs, and students engaged in research, our instructors are professional data scientists with research backgrounds who combine research experience with technical skills to help you succeed. Please see the schedule below.

Prerequisites

The introductory workshops are appropriate for those with no programming background, those looking for a refresher, or those who may have used a programming language without learning it systematically. We’ll help you fill in the gaps.

Intermediate workshops assume that participants have the skills taught in the introductory workshops. Both those who plan to take the introductory workshops this summer, as well as those who have learned the basics of R or Python through other courses or self-study, are welcome to join the intermediate workshops.

Locations

Workshops are in person and conveniently held on the Evanston and Chicago campuses, June through early September 2025 and registration is required. All workshops are held in person; there is no hybrid option or recording available. These are interactive, hands-on workshops; participants must bring their laptop and charger.

Fees

Limited spots are available for these in-person workshops. Workshops have a registration fee. If you are a member of the Northwestern community and the registration fee would prevent you from attending a workshop, please request a fee reduction using this form. Financial support requests must be made at least 3 weeks prior to a workshop.

Food

All workshops include coffee and light breakfast pastries in the morning. Lunch breaks will be provided; participants are responsible for their own lunch.

Python Fundamentals

This introductory, four-day workshop is offered twice this summer—once in Evanston and once in Chicago. The same material is covered in both sessions.

Python Fundamentals Workshops
Workshop	Date	Time	Location
Python Fundamentals	June 23-26	9:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.	Chicago
Python Fundamentals	June 30 - July 3	9:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.	Evanston

Intermediate Python

Next Steps in Python is a seven-part series covering intermediate Python skills, tips, and tricks. Improve your Python skills in these multi-day workshops focused on Python skills needed for research.

Intermediate Python Workshops
Workshop	Date	Time	Location
Intermediate Python	July 7-9	9 a.m. - 4 p.m.	Evanston
Scikit-Learn	July 10-11	9 a.m. - 4 p.m.	Evanston

AI for Researchers

Learn how to apply LLMs to your research in these single-day workshops. Take one, or join us for the week to learn how to use LLMs across multiple research contexts. Experience with Python is required.

AI for Researchers workshops
Workshop	Date	Time	Location
Topic Modeling to Categorize Text Documents	September 2	9:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.	Evanston
Fine-Tuning LLMs for Text Analysis	September 3	9:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.	Evanston
Retrieval-Augmented Generation: Enhancing LLM Systems with Research Data	September 4	9:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.	Evanston
Video Analysis for Animal Motion Tracking with DeepLabCut	September 5	9:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.	Evanston

R Fundamentals

This introductory, four-day workshop is offered twice this summer—once in Evanston and once in Chicago. The same material is covered in both sessions.

R Fundamentals Workshops
Workshop	Date	Time	Location
R Fundamentals	June 30 - July 3	9:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.	Chicago
R Fundamentals	August 18, 20 - 22	9:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.	Evanston

Intermediate R

Grow your R skills in these single-day workshops. Take one, or join us for the week to develop a solid foundation with R.

Intermediate R Workshops
Workshop	Date	Time	Location
Data Manipulation with Tidyverse	August 25	9:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.	Chicago
Intermediate Data Manipulation with Tidyverse	August 26	9:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.	Chicago
Statistics	August 27	9:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.	Chicago
Data Visualization and Tables	August 28	9:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.	Chicago
Programming Basics	August 29	9:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.	Chicago