Beyond Microsoft Word: Formatting Documents with Overleaf and R Studio

Do you experience format frustration in Microsoft Word or other word processing software? Do you find creating templates for your work clunky and time consuming? Do you find yourself frequently needing to insert graphics created in Python or R? This workshop will combine the powers of Overleaf (built for LaTeX) and R to streamline creating manuscript-like documents. The workshop will begin by discussing the advantages of different document creation resources to further motivate a switch to resources beyond Microsoft Word. Then, we will step through the process of creating a template in Overleaf (your choice!) for future use. This can be motivated by a journal you are submitting to or a conference that you know you will attend. This will be an introduction to the variety of possible customizations using Overleaf (LaTeX). The last portion of the course will focus on linking Overleaf with RStudio. Attendees can work with their own data, if desired, but example datasets will be provided to practice linking Overleaf with RStudio. Attendees will leave the workshop with a better understanding of the advantages to alternative word processing resources, a working example integrating Overleaf and RStudio, and a compiled list of additional resources covered in the workshop.

Speaker bio: Kate is a PhD student in the Center for Geospatial Analytics. Her work focuses on improving the accuracy and interpretability of ecological models for use by forest managers. Prior to returning for her PhD, she worked as a research scientist in a geospatial analysis and visualization lab. Her interests include developing efficient workflows to find the appropriate data analysis and statistical methods for the problem at hand.