As part of London Data Week, Professor Stephanie Wilson led Fooled by Beautiful Data – Bias and Visualization, a panel discussion held at City St George’s, University of London, on 10 July 2026. The event was hosted by Diverse CDT.

The event examined the double-edged nature of data visualisation. Visualisations can expose biased sampling, structural discrimination and blind spots hidden within raw numbers, but they can also introduce or reinforce biases of their own. Bringing together perspectives from research, design and public-sector practice, the panel considered these tensions across both human and non-human data.

Steph Wilson led the conversation. As Professor of Human-Computer Interaction and Co-Director of both Diverse CDT and the Centre for Human-Computer Interaction Design, she has a longstanding commitment to inclusive interaction design and data visualisation.

Sara Heitlinger joined the discussion as a panellist, contributing a more-than-human perspective. Her work asks how data might be communicated in ways that support the wellbeing of humans and other species through approaches including multisensory visualisation, data physicalisation and multispecies storytelling.

The panel also featured

• Paul Hodgson, Senior Manager for City Data at the Greater London Authority, brought practical experience of leading data science, engineering, mapping and visualisation work across London.

• Dr Narges Mahyar shared expertise spanning human-centred visualisation, AI, social computing and public participation.

• Ana Marques, a Diverse CDT doctoral researcher and multidisciplinary designer, contributed her interest in humanising data through storytelling, multimedia and creative practice.

Together, the speakers invited the audience to look beyond visual polish and ask more critical questions: whose perspectives are represented, what has been left out, and how might visualisation help people understand uncertainty and participate more meaningfully in decisions?

The event formed part of London Data Week, the annual citywide festival exploring how data can help shape a better and more inclusive London.