Accidental Data Lies: How Poor Visual Choices Can Mislead

Welcome to the world of accidental data lies, where innocent-looking charts quietly twist the truth. And in today’s world, where ethical data visualisation is a hot (and important) topic, it's something we all need to watch out for.

We’ll uncover the most common (and sneaky!) ways charts mislead, from pie chart pandemonium to axis trickery, colour chaos, and the dreaded “average of averages.” Expect real-world examples of chart crimes, a few laughs at visual disasters, and sharper instincts for spotting deception.

But it’s not just about dodgy design, this session also dives into the ethics of visual storytelling. We’ll explore how the ‘framing effect’ and ‘sampling bias’ can quietly distort meaning, and how to design with integrity so visuals inform rather than mislead.

From spreadsheet wizards to Power BI spellcasters, this session will help you create visuals that don’t just dazzle, they tell the truth and earn trust.

1. Spot misleading visuals: Identify common chart tricks (axes, colours, averages) that distort meaning. 2. Understand ethical framing: Explore how bias and framing effects influence interpretation and why integrity matters. 3. Design with trust: Apply practical techniques to create transparent, ethical visuals that inform rather than mislead.