We use tech and data for civic good.
And we believe that a world where everyone understands at least a little of how to use code and data, is a better place.
Currently we run the following activities.
Hack weekends
We’ve run hack weekends for ten years during which time we have developed a successful co-design methodology which combines a traditional hack event together with elements of service design. These are normally themed and are formulated to bring service providers, their service users, data specialists, web people, coders, user experience practitioners, and many more together. The goal of these events is to allow space to explore ideas, and prototype solutions to find out if they’re worth pursuing further. Additionally at many events our attendees build an underpinning data infrastructure which can be used by other projects.
Data Meet-ups
We run monthly data meet-ups for the local data community in our home at the ONE Tech Hub.
Currently we are running these as hybrid events.
The format of the sessions is:
- 6.00pm Physical group get-together. Networking over some pizza and beers
- 6.30pm One or two speakers on data-related topics.
You can book a place each month on the Scotland Data Science and Technology Meet-ups Group,
Python User Group
The Aberdeen Python User Group meets monthly on the second Wednesday of each month, and is an opportunity for experienced Python coders and learners to come together in a social space, hear talks, code together and grab some refreshments. We set up the Aberdeen group in September 2019.
Open Data
We believe in openness as an approach in many contexts: working in the open; open source development of software and open data. We actively champion the use of open data – encouraging its publication and use.
We run the annual Scottish Open Data Unconference (SODU).
Attendees at the 2021 event, and at several CTC Hack weekends, have created and continue to maintain the Scottish Open Data portal. This is nominated for three awards at the Open UK awards 2022.
Other projects
The biggest project that we have been involved in is the ongoing Aberdeen Air Quality project. As lead partner we’ve run two workshops and we’re working with 57 North Hack Lab, Aberdeen University and community groups to develop the project to deliver a large network of community built, and hosted, air quality sensors. These generate open data which anyone can use to monitor the quality of the air in Aberdeen.
Workshops
We run workshops to give people to use technology and data. A recent example is the Wikipedia / Wikidata Editathon which we ran to help local cultural institutions to better use these tools and platforms, and to give local people confidence and skills to use them.
Previous Activities
There are a range of events and activities that we used to host prior to the ending of physical events in 2020.
Code The City 