Love Data Week: Why Data Matters More Than Ever

Feb. 6, 2026
Print | PDF

Love Data Week 2026 is Here! 

Data is deeply personal to us and fuels discovery, supports decision‑making, and empowers each of us, students, researchers, instructors, and staff, to do our best work. This year’s theme “Where’s the Data”, opens up a conversation and is a way to get us thinking about data’s journey from collection through storage and preservation. This week, the Laurier Library is running workshops on how to best protect your data. 

Whether you're analyzing research results, planning a campus event, reviewing service metrics, or just checking how many times you’ve rewatched that same series on Netflix… you’re working with data. 

Data helps us: 

  • Understand trends: from student wellbeing to network usage to learning outcomes 
  • Solve real problems: like reducing energy consumption or improving student services 
  • Make smarter decisions: grounded in evidence, not guesswork 
  • Tell compelling stories: because visuals and numbers bring ideas to life 

Just as we rely on data for our work and studies, our personal data is constantly at work too - often in ways we don't realize. So this Love Data Week, let's start by looking at your digital footprint 

How much of your personal data is out there?  

Your data is made up of snippets of information about you: everything from your location to your interests to your finances. Ultimately, this data can be aggregated to create a clear picture of your behaviors and beliefs and used in unexpected ways to inform decisions. Sometimes this is for positive benefits. While data often benefits us, it can also be misused for identity theft or fraud. The good news? A few simple practices can significantly reduce your risk 

In order to keep track of your data and who you are giving your information to, consider these tips: 

  • Store your personal data safely: don’t save personal information on older devices without modern updates - use secure cloud storage instead  
  • Use a secure Wi-Fi connection: avoid accessing personal or work accounts or sensitive files on public Wi-Fi networks 
  • Limit what you share: be mindful of what you post online- emails, student ID’s, photos, location information. These posts can reveal more than you think. 
  • Enable two-factor authentication on important accounts: this can help protect your identity  
  • Review your privacy settings on social media: consider limiting who can see what you post 
Looking for more information?  

Check out these Workshops from the Laurier Library: