research
Visualization Competencies
Matthew Varona*, Maryam Hedayati*, Matthew Kay, Carolina Nobre
Visualization literacy research lacks a theoretical foundation for what its component abilities actually are. To address this, we propose a model of visualization competencies that maps out the skills and knowledge needed to engage with visualizations. Our model organizes competencies around stages in the visualization process and highlights the interplay between reading and writing abilities. We developed the model by consulting a variety of sources, including reserach papers, college syllabi, K-12 curricula, instructional books, and interviews with professionals—which also allows us to reflect on diverging perspectives on literacy in visualization research, education, and practice. (To be submitted!)
The State of the Art in Visualization Literacy
Matthew Varona, Karen Bonilla, Maryam Hedayati, Alark Joshi, Matthew Kay, Lane Harrison, Carolina Nobre
We reviewed 374 papers for a comprehensive overview of visualization literacy research. As a step towards more consistency and clarity in the field, we help researchers operationalize—that is, break down an abstract concept into researchable parts—by proposing a taxonomy of visualization literacy made of 5 categories of research and 4 competency themes. Along the way, we summarize findings from how visualization literacy is defined, assessed, studied, and improved. (Currently undergoing revision—preprint soon!)
teaching
- Summer 2025: Prep TA for CSC316 Data Visualization, helping with pedagogical design for the new version of the course
- Winter 2025: TA for CSC316 Data Visualization
- Fall 2024: TA for CSC318 The Design of Interactive Computational Media
- Co-designed a workshop for teaching high schoolers about data visualization in p5.js at CS Academy
