Overview
Hackweeks are participant-driven workshops that combine intensive learning, community building, and collaborative project work. As an instructor and infrastructure engineer for multiple hackweek events at the UW eScience Institute (2016-2019), I helped create transformative learning experiences for hundreds of scientists.
Event Series
Geohackweek (2016-2019)
Workshop on Geospatial Data Science
Website: geohackweek.github.io
Annual week-long workshop focused on:
- Remote sensing and geospatial analysis
- Cloud-based geospatial computing
- Open-source GIS tools and workflows
- Collaborative project development
Oceanhackweek (2018-2019)
Workshop on Oceanographic Data Science
Website: oceanhackweek.github.io
Specialized workshop for oceanographic research:
- Ocean data access and analysis
- Scientific Python for oceanography
- Cloud computing for large datasets
- Marine data visualization
My Roles
Data Sharing & Collaboration Tools Instructor
Taught essential tools for modern collaborative science:
- Conda: Environment and package management
- Docker: Containerization for reproducible research
- Jupyter: Interactive computing and notebooks
- CI/CD: Continuous integration for scientific software
- Zenodo: Publishing and citing research software
Infrastructure Engineer
Designed and deployed computing environments:
- Set up JupyterHub instances for 50-100+ participants
- Configured Docker images with all required software
- Managed cloud computing resources
- Ensured stable performance during tutorials and project work
- Provided real-time technical support
Hackweek Model
Hackweeks revolutionize scientific training through:
Intensive Learning
- Tutorials on modern data science tools
- Hands-on exercises with real datasets
- Expert instructors from academia and industry
Collaborative Projects
- Form teams around research questions
- Apply newly learned skills to real problems
- Produce tangible outcomes in one week
Community Building
- Connect researchers across institutions
- Foster long-term collaborations
- Create supportive peer networks
Technical Innovation
Scalable Infrastructure
Built robust cloud infrastructure that:
- Supported 100+ simultaneous users
- Provided consistent computing environments
- Enabled complex geospatial and ocean data analysis
- Maintained uptime throughout week-long events
Reproducible Environments
Created Docker containers and Conda environments that:
- Ensured all participants had identical setups
- Eliminated "works on my machine" problems
- Could be reused after the event
- Documented exact software versions
Impact & Outcomes
Participant Success
Hackweek participants:
- Published research using skills learned
- Built new collaborative networks
- Contributed to open-source projects
- Organized their own community events
Model Adoption
The hackweek model has been adopted by:
- Multiple scientific domains (astronomy, neuroscience, etc.)
- International research institutions
- Professional development programs
- Graduate training initiatives
Publications
Arendt, A. A., et al., including Setiawan, L. (2023). Hackweeks as a Model to Foster Learning and Collaboration in the Geosciences. AGU23.
IOOS Biological Data Training Workshop (2018)
Extended the hackweek model to a specialized workshop:
- Topic: Management and analysis of marine biological data
- Role: Infrastructure Engineer and Instructor
- Innovation: Set up JupyterHub with RStudio Server proxy for multi-language support
Website: ioos.github.io/BioData-Training-Workshop
Community Building Philosophy
Hackweeks embody key principles:
- Inclusivity: Welcome participants of all skill levels
- Openness: All materials freely available and open-source
- Collaboration: Learning through doing together
- Sustainability: Building lasting community connections
Personal Impact
Organizing and teaching at hackweeks:
- Deepened my expertise in cloud infrastructure
- Developed teaching and mentoring skills
- Built lasting collaborations across institutions
- Contributed to the open science movement
- Helped democratize access to advanced data science tools