Love Data Week 2026 takes place from 9–13 February 2026, it’s an opportunity to bring together researchers, analysts, librarians, practitioners and data-curious communities from around the world to celebrate the value of data and the skills needed to use it well.

Now an established international initiative, Love Data Week provides a focal point for conversations about how data underpins research, policy and decision-making across sectors. Throughout the week, participating organisations host talks, workshops, training sessions and interactive activities designed to build data literacy and encourage good practice in data management and analysis.

Theme for 2026: “Where’s the Data?”

The theme for 2026? “Where’s the Data?”, inviting participants to think critically about the full data lifecycle. From how data is collected and documented, to how it is stored, shared, reused and preserved over time, the theme highlights questions of accessibility, transparency and responsibility. It also encourages reflection on who can find and use data, and what barriers might exist for different communities.

Typically, events during Love Data Week explore practical topics such as data discovery, data quality, reproducibility, ethics and governance, alongside hands-on skills like data visualisation and analysis. Taken together, these activities help demystify data and reinforce its role as a shared resource that, when managed well, can support better evidence-based decisions and wider societal impact.

As a global, community-led initiative, Love Data Week offers organisations and individuals an opportunity to showcase their work, share expertise and spark meaningful discussions about how data can be used responsibly and effectively in an increasingly data-driven world.