VizChitra 2025

Data Visualization Workshop Submission: Communicating Data with Beautiful Visualizations Using R and ggplot2

Describe Your Talk/Session

In this session, I will explore the art and science of creating stunning data visualizations using R and the {ggplot2} package, with a special focus on geocomputation and spatial data visualization. Drawing from my extensive work showcased at Geocomputation with R and Data Visualizations, I will demonstrate how to transform complex datasets into compelling visual narratives. Attendees will learn to leverage packages like {sf}, {terra}, {tidyterra}, {ggmap}, and {osmdata} for crafting beautiful maps, as seen in my projects like interactive maps with mapview and population density rasters. Additionally, I’ll cover techniques for general data visualizations using {geofacet}, {ggtext}, and {showtext}, exemplified by my crime data visualization, emphasizing color selection, annotation, and theming to enhance clarity and aesthetics.

The session will be hands-on, walking participants through practical examples of building maps and visualizations from scratch. I’ll share workflows for integrating spatial data with {sf} and {ggplot2}, creating dynamic raster maps with {terra} and {ggmap}, and enhancing plots with custom typography and icons using {ggtext} and {fontawesome}. By dissecting real-world examples, such as cropping rasters with ggmap and terra, I’ll illustrate how to balance technical precision with visual appeal. Participants will leave with actionable skills to communicate data effectively, whether they’re mapping global population trends or visualizing local crime statistics, all while making their outputs accessible and engaging to diverse audiences.

Mention 1-2 Takeaways from Your Session

1. Mastering Geocomputation with R: Attendees will learn how to use {sf}, {terra}, and {ggmap} to create beautiful, informative maps, enabling them to visualize spatial data with precision and creativity, as demonstrated in my elevation maps with whitebox and terra.
2. Enhancing Visualizations with ggplot2 Extensions: Participants will discover how to elevate their plots using {geofacet}, {ggtext}, and {showtext} for geographical faceting and refined typography, ensuring their visualizations are both clear and visually striking, as seen in my world population animated donut.

Who Is the Audience for Your Talk/Session?

This session is designed for data analysts, researchers, and visualization enthusiasts with a basic understanding of R who want to advance their skills in creating impactful visualizations. It’s ideal for those interested in geocomputation, such as urban planners or geographers, as well as professionals in fields like public health, economics, or social sciences who aim to communicate data insights effectively. Whether you’re a beginner looking to craft your first map or an intermediate user seeking to refine your {ggplot2} techniques, this talk will provide practical tools and inspiration to make your data visualizations both beautiful and meaningful.

About Me, Bio and Work Profile

I’m Dr. Aditya Dahiya, a data enthusiast with a knack for transforming complex datasets into compelling visual stories. I hold an MBBS from the prestigious All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi (2005-2010), and a Master of Public Health from Harvard University (2021-2022). My academic journey, enriched by honors like the Fulbright Fellowship (2021-2022), Kishore Vaigyanik Protsahan Yojana (KVPY) Scholarship, and the Joint Japan World Bank Graduate Scholar Award (2020-2021), has fueled my passion for precision and perspective in data analysis. When I’m not navigating the intricacies of health financing or public policy, I’m diving deep into the world of data visualization, where I wield R—particularly {ggplot2} and its myriad extensions—as my storytelling tool of choice.

Currently, I serve as an Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer (joined service in 2011), posted as Special Secretary to the Government of Haryana in the Personnel and Services Department. With over a decade of experience battling bureaucracy’s labyrinthine challenges, I bring a unique blend of analytical rigor and real-world insight to my work. My earlier stint as a Junior Resident Doctor in Neuro-Radiology at AIIMS (2010-11) honed my attention to detail, but it’s my love for open-source tools that truly defines me. Through projects like those showcased at Geocomputation with R and Data Visualizations, I aim to make data not just accessible but delightful. Want to connect? Find me on LinkedIn or drop me an email—I promise my replies are less formal than a government memo!