Scientific Illustration & Data Visualization, Autumn 2025

About the Course

This course aims to enable participants to create visualisations that effectively communicate their research work, in form of data visualisations and schematics for publications, conference posters, presentations and other formats.

This encompasses the ability to critically evaluate the suitability and effectiveness of visualisations, including considerations of the target group and presentation context, as well as learning of the necessary software for data visualisation (RStudio) and illustration (Adobe Illustrator or equivalent). The teaching format focusses on learning by doing, and is supported by formal lectures and exercises, a guided design process experience, feedback from peers and the teachers, as well as reflection on own learning. The examination is conducted through submissions of a graphical abstract (or equivalent) and data visualisation (preferrable on own data), as well as a journal with reflections on the design process.

Purpose and Goals

This course offers knowledge and skills in scientific illustration and visualisation: how to use digital tools to create images and figures to communicate scientific ideas, concepts, results, and interpretations to different target audiences and in different formats.

Time and Place

Online, September 29th – October 10th 2025.

Target Group 

PhD students, Postdocs, Master’s students, Research assistants, more senior researchers (and everyone with an interest in communicating scientific content effectively).

Quotes from Previous Participants

"I’ve always been creative, but during these two weeks, I truly learned the principles behind creating eye-catching and effective scientific visuals—whether for a journal article or public outreach. Working with Adobe Illustrator was new to me, but our teacher, Meike, provided clear explanations and practical exercises that made the learning process smooth.

Even in R, a program I’ve used for years, I discovered new functions that helped me improve my plots. I especially appreciated being encouraged to apply what we learned to our own research projects, share our progress in group discussions, and receive personal feedback. Months later, Meike is still available to answer questions and offer guidance whenever I get stuck on a design. This course gave me a solid foundation—and a real enthusiasm—for a possible future in science communication."

Sara De Clerck, participated autumn 2024, PhD student at Greenland Institute of Natural Resources.

"During the past year I’ve used the illustrations I started working on during the course for a scientific poster, a graphical abstract for a conference application, several presentations and for an ongoing manuscript.

The course provided valuable tools and feedback which resulted in better-looking figures that I feel more confident to present. Taking the course is a great opportunity to finally take the time to learn how to use a graphics software, as this is otherwise difficult to prioritize when having a busy work schedule."

Linn Hjelmgren, participated spring 2024, PhD student at KI.

"I liked being introduced to basic concepts of colour, text and design. It is so fundamental for good visualisations and science communication – something that we never learn in science education. I also liked being introduced to the Adobe Software. At first I couldn’t do anything in Illustrator of Indesign, after the course, I continued to use it for all my illustrations and have become a somewhat decent user.

I would not have been able to create the attached poster without taking the course – it is a huge improvement to what I created in my first year! The course helped me to create the manuscript figures in a thoughtful way. I payed attention to the use of colour, design and consistency throughout the manuscript to help the reader understand our work."

Michael Hawgood, participated spring 2023, PhD student at KI.

Participating Teachers

Gustav Nilsonne, MD, PhD, Associate Professor in Neuroscience at Karolinska Institutet.

Meike Latz, PhD, Professional in visual science communication.

Martin Jonsson, PhD, Postdoc with focus on data visualisation at Södersjukhuset.

Richel Bilderbeek, PhD, Application expert at NBIS (National Bioinformatic Infrastructure Sweden).

Quotes from Course Teacher

"I would like to provide scientists with a place where they can learn how to visually communicate their research – a skill that is expected from every scientist to some extent but that is not part of the standard curriculum for young scientists."

Meike Latz, PhD, Professional in visual science communication.

Course Structure

The course is structured over two weeks full time, with the first week focussing on the theory of what makes visualisations effective and graphic design as well as learning a graphic design software. The second week is focussed on data visualisation, both theoretical and the practice of creating them in RStudio. A submission is scheduled for the end of each week, with a feedback session on the submission on the following day.

Course Syllabus

This page will be updated with the course syllabus soon.

Price

9 500 SEK excluding VAT.

More Information

For questions about the course content:

Gustav Nilsonne, course leader
Karolinska Institutet, Department of Clinical Neuroscience
E-mail: gustav.nilsonne@ki.se 

For administrative questions:

Linnea Lagergren, project administrator
Executive and Professional Education at Karolinska Institutet
E-mail: linnea.lagergren@ki.se

Registration

Please note that the course is subject to the condition that we receive a sufficient number of participants.

Registration is binding. For cancellations later than six (6) weeks before the start of the course, 50 percent of the course fee will be charged, and for cancellations later than four (4) weeks before the start of the course, the full course fee will be charged. For complete terms and conditions, see our general terms and conditions.