Thread by @sarahlovesdata

I am so so incredibly proud of @LisaTrescott! [a thread]

When the #IronViz feeders launched this year I wanted to encourage participation, particularly from first-time entrants. Every year, I hear from people who are apprehensive about entering #IronViz for various reasons
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Perhaps it's imposter syndrome, perhaps they feel like they don't have the skills or experience required. Regardless of the reason, when the feeder entries start to come through on social media, it is intimidating...for all of us!

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That's one of the main drivers that led me to launch #IronQuest in 2019. I wanted to provide people with a platform to practice #IronViz-style skills in a safe environment, all year round. A key element of IronQuest is feedback, which all participants can opt-in for.

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I don't run #IronQuest while the #IronViz feeder is on, so I decided to do something a bit different this year. I gathered together some friends from the #datafam to provide a feedback network for #IronViz feeder entrants.

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Together, we worked with over 20 participants to provide feedback and help them to refine their vizzes. One of those participants was @LisaTrescott. Lisa was a first-time entrant and had published this awesome viz on @RuPaulsDragRace Lip Syncs public.tableau.com/app/profile/li…

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Despite running the feedback initiative, I still saw tweets on my timeline from people saying they felt like giving up and not entering the competition. Either they were intimidated by some of the impressive early entries, or they were battling with data or design issues.

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So, as a final attempt at getting people to not give up & participate, I started posting motivational GIFs and messages on Twitter as the deadline approached. A few people, such as @_CJMayes, said that this gave them the final push that they needed to get their viz completed

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And, as I've done for the last few years, I posted a blog post with a few tips and words of encouragement for anyone doubting themselves sarahlovesdata.co.uk/2021/06/02/rea…

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I want everyone to recognise that @LisaTrescott is the only the 4th woman to reach a global #IronViz final; preceded by @datavizlinds in 2019, @VizCandy in 2013 & @AnyaAHearn in 2012. Add to that, a woman hasn't won the competition since Anya in 2012, 9 YEARS AGO!

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What @LisaTrescott has achieved today is huge! It's a recognition that a woman CAN do this. For so many years, there was no female participation in the #IronViz final at all. As a result, women lost confidence in the competition. You can't be what you can't see, after all.

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So once again, I want to recognise @LisaTrescott, not only for her incredible viz and storytelling but for paving the way for more women to participate in #IronViz, with confidence, in the future.

Sorry for the long tread but I had a lot to say!

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Unroll please @threadreaderapp