22-25 April 2026 
Video unavailable
SQLBits 2026
Accidental Data Lies: How Poor Visual Choices Can Mislead
Discover how charts mislead and how to design with integrity. From pie pandemonium to bias traps, learn to spot ‘data lies’ and craft visuals that inform, not deceive.
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.
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.