Module manager: Jenny Sexton
Email: j.l.sexton@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: 1 Jul to 31 Aug View Timetable
Year running 2025/26
GPA of 2.5 (US) or equivalent and enrolled at a university
This module is not approved as a discovery module
This module uses real-world datasets to explore the world's most pressing challenges from climate change to global inequality. Throughout the module, you will develop a case study and use global development statistics to quantify progress towards the UN sustainable development goals (SDGs). In 2020, Gapminder ran a project called “Flip your world view” that surveyed people to demonstrate that many people living in Western Europe significantly underestimated the global progress on the sustainable development goals over the last 30 years. This module will equip you with the data literacy skills to examine the real trends in global statistics and understand how choices about how data is presented can perpetuate or challenge existing inequalities. You'll learn to create compelling visualisations and dashboards that tell stories, challenge misconceptions and can influence decisions while navigating the ethical complexities of working with data that affects real people's lives.
During this module students will work collaboratively to design a case study about a specific country’s development and global progress towards the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Students will develop technical proficiency in Excel and Tableau while building awareness of the social impact of data. Students will learn how data collection methods and presentation choices can change how data is interpreted. No prior experience of using these tools is required and the focus will be on accurately communicating with quantitative data in the context of global development.
1. Select appropriate visualization types based on data characteristics and communication objectives.
2. Create dashboards and visualizations that communicate data insights effectively to diverse audiences.
3. Identify how data collection methods and presentation choices can perpetuate or challenge existing inequalities.
On successful completion of the module students will be able to:
4. Collaborate effectively with peers to interpret and iteratively refine data visualisations. (Work ready, Sustainability)
5. Identify ethical considerations in representing data about real populations and development outcomes. (Sustainability)
6. Demonstrate self-awareness by reflecting on personal contributions to teamwork and identifying areas for development. (Work ready, Academic)
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fieldwork | 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Fieldwork | 1 | 10 | 10 |
| Seminar | 8 | 3 | 24 |
| Independent online learning hours | 15 | ||
| Private study hours | 43 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 42 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 100 | ||
Students will prepare their case study during a series of interactive workshops. These will allow students to immediately apply their learning to a component of their assessment and get regularly feedback from their peers and the module lead. Varied daily reflective activities will help students track progress, identify areas for improvement, and build confidence in their iterative approach to data visualization and teamwork.
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Group Project | Group Project – Students work as a small group (3-4 students per group) to produce a case study. They will each contribute to presenting their work as a group (10 minutes + short Q&A) and submit an annotated copy of their slide deck. | 80 |
| Self/Peer Assessment | Self Assessment – Students submit a coversheet (max 300 words) that: (i) documents their contribution to the group project, and (ii) identifies a specific point where they adapted their approach in response to feedback or project developments. | 20 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
Check the module area in Minerva for your reading list
Last updated: 18/02/2026
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