Centre for Marine Socioecology
R and AI Workshops
A/Prof Chris J Brown
Email: c.j.brown@utas.edu.au
Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Australia
Guest Presenter:
Professor Anthony Richardson
The University of Queensland and CSIRO Environment
🗓️ Dates & Location
- Tuesday 11th November and Wednesday 12th November
- Location: IMAS Salamanca, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
Workshop Overview
The R program is a powerful tool for data analysis, but has a steep learning curve. Join us for a 2-day workshop that will accelerate your R skills. Our modern approach to teaching leverages AI to help you create analyses with natural language, and code with fewer errors, but higher accuracy.
- Cost per day:
- $200 students
- $300 professionals
- Waiver available for indigenous scholars
🗓️ Day 1 (11th Nov): Quality Data Analysis with AI Coding Assistants
- Suitable for R or Python users
- Learn to use large language models (like ChatGPT) directly in your R or Python coding environment
- Accelerate your coding and get personalised help on your research
- Understand the risks: AI makes mistakes—learn our guidelines for effective AI-assisted coding
- Discuss ethical implications and the concept of ‘vibe coding’ for scientists
- Prerequisites:
- Some coding experience (e.g., can read data into RStudio and make plots)
- Suitable for both beginners and experts wanting to know more about AI assistants
🗓️ Day 2 (12th Nov): Generalized Linear Models (in R)
- GLMs are a powerful tool for statistical analysis and prediction
- Learn the basics of linear models and how to extend them to generalized linear models
- Topics: model verification, estimating effect size and significance, making predictions
- Key benefit:
- Master a few principles to tackle many types of data—no need to memorize a different test for each data type
- There may be additional subscription costs for AI software of up to USD20. Students can get free licenses. More information will be provided on enrollment.
- Note:
- These workshops are not suitable for coding beginners.
- If you’ve never used R or Python before, we suggest you take an introductory workshop. IMAS runs an introductory R course — contact us for more info: c.j.brown@utas.edu.au.
- Rule of thumb: If you have RStudio, know how to read data into R, and make some plots, you are ready for these workshops.
About the Presenters
Chris J Brown
Chris is an Associate Professor of Fisheries Science at University of Tasmania and an Australian Research Council Future Fellow. He specialises in data analysis and modelling to better inform environmental decision makers. R has taken him many places, working with marine ecosystems from tuna fisheries to mangrove forests. He’s an experienced teacher of R, having taught hundreds of people from undergraduates to supervisors. Generative AI holds great promise—and perils—for science, so this year he’s been teaching workshops to help researchers grapple with the implications of this new technology.
Anthony Richardson
Anthony is a Professor at the University of Queensland and CSIRO. He is a mathematical ecologist passionate about understanding and solving two of the most pressing challenges facing humanity: biodiversity loss and climate change. Since 2012, Anthony has taught R Workshops to thousands of students and researchers. Chris and Anthony have been collaborating for more than 15 years, and look forward to co-teaching this workshop.