Hack the Local: free hackathon to explore local news and information

Join Cardiff University's Centre for Community Journalism and Computational and Data Journalism MSc for Hack the Local, a weekend-long hack event on 11 and 12 June 2016.  

Hack the Local will bring together community and mainstream journalists, journalism students, tech start ups and software developers to build new apps and platforms based around local news challenges. Teams will compete for prizes whilst being provided expert guidance in open data and community journalism. If you live more than hour outside of Cardiff, but would still like to join us, we are covering travel expenses (but not accomodation) for a limited number of attendees. Please email Hannah at scarbroughh1@cardiff.ac.uk. 

What's it about?

Cardiff and South Wales are home to some of the most innovative journalism and data projects in the UK, including the Computational and Data Journalism MSc, the Centre for Community Journalism, National Software Academy and Y Lab Wales. We want to shine a spotlight on the exciting work already happening in South Wales and South West, as well as encourage new collaborations between journalists, developers and those providing open data in the public sector. But it won't start and end with a weekend in June. We want a legacy of Hacks/Hackers socials to continue after the event in Wales and the South West.

How it will work

Saturday will act as the full hack day, in which local journalism ideas can be pitched for teams to develop and refine. A prize giving ceremony and learning round-up will then take place on Sunday morning. We expect teams to comprise of 3-5 members, of which at least one member should be a developer. Don't worry if you don't have a team in mind: we can assemble teams on the day (although you're also welcome to sign up as a ready-made team if you have one).

Staff from Cardiff University School of Journalism, Media and Cultural Studies and School of Computer Sciences will be on hand throughout the weekend to provide support and advice.

We will be serving free lunches, teas and coffees throughout the weekend, along with an endless supply of biscuits.

Where: Hadyn Ellis Building, Maindy Road, Cardiff, CF24 4HQ

When: All day on Saturday 11 June, half day on Sunday 12 June

Who: Local and community journalists, journalism students, software developers, local government and public sector representatives, tech companies and more...

Prizes and sponsors

We are delighted to be working with a fantastic team of sponsors on this event, who will be providing prizes for winning teams. Prizes confirmed so far include:

• Tableau Desktop Professional Edition licenses for every member of a winning team, sponsored by Tableau

• Chromecast Audio Devices for every member of a winning team, sponsored by Google News Lab

• Hosting vouchers for every member of a winning team, sponsored by National Software Academy

On Saturday evening, attendees will be invited to an evening reception sponsored by Seasons where they will be greeted with prosecco on arrival and a complimentary buffet. Sunday's lunch is sponsored and provided by Pieminister.