Applied Economics Teaching Resources

an AAEA Journal

Agricultural and Applied Economics Association

Teaching and Educational Methods

Data Visualization in Applied Economics Instruction and Outreach

Jared Hutchins(a) and Andrew J. Van Leuven(b)
(a)University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, (b)University of Vermont

JEL Codes: JEL Codes: A2, C8, Q1, Y1
Keywords: Data science, data visualization, Python, R programming

First Published Online: October 7, 2025

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Abstract

This article highlights the critical role of data visualization in applied economics education and outreach. We first outline some general principles for teaching graph literacy and data visualization principles in and out of the classroom. We then discuss the mechanics of visualizing data—collection, preparation, and visualization—with an emphasis on how instructors can teach each step using the R and/or Python statistical environments. We ultimately contend that the requisite skills for successful data visualization are indispensable for students trained in today’s agricultural and applied economics programs to communicate their research effectively.

About the Authors: Jared Hutchins (jhtchns2@illinois.edu) is an Assistant Professor of Agricultural & Consumer Economics with the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Andrew J. Van Leuven (andrew.vanleuven@uvm.edu) is an Assistant Professor of Community Development & Applied Economics at the University of Vermont.

Copyright is governed under Creative Commons CC BY-NC-SA

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