Nola du Toit

Executive Resume & Research Contributions

Professional Summary

PhD-trained data visualization leader with 15+ years of experience designing impactful data storytelling tools for research, business, and policy audiences. Proven record of building visualization practices, leading cross-functional teams, and securing research funding. Skilled at bridging academic rigor with business strategy to deliver insights that drive decisions.

Education

  • Ph.D. Sociology (2013), Bowling Green State University
  • M.A. Sociology (2004), Middle Tennessee State University
  • B.A. Sociology (2001), Middle Tennessee State University

Expertise

Leadership & Client Engagement
  • Team building, mentorship, project management, budget oversight
  • Stakeholder engagement, proposal & grant writing, executive presentations
Research & Methodology
  • Survey & study design, questionnaire development
  • Quantitative analysis, modeling, & interpretation (regression, ANOVA, logistic models)
  • Qualitative methods (focus groups, stakeholder interviews, ethnography)
Data Visualization & Technical Tools
  • Dashboard design, infographics, data storytelling, user-centered visualization
  • Scientific communication, visual literacy, accessibility
  • Adobe Illustrator/InDesign/XD, D3, Excel, GitHub, Jira, PowerPoint, R, Salesforce, SAS, Tableau, Word
  • Data strategy & evaluation of visualization platforms

Professional Experience

NORC at the University of Chicago (2008 – Present)

Data Visualization Specialist & Senior Research Methodologist, Research Science Division (2019–Present)
  • Lead teams developing dashboards, infographics, and interactive tools for government and nonprofit clients.
  • Designed flagship data visualization projects such as the Medicare Beneficiary Dashboard, used nationally by policymakers.
  • Developed NORC’s visualization standards and best practices: trained 200+ researchers through online courses and onboarding tools; mentored junior staff.
  • Secured NSF funding as PI for grants advancing data visualization practices.
  • Regularly present to clients, executive stakeholders, and at national conferences (AAPOR, ASA, JSM).
Earlier Roles at NORC (2008–2019): Research Methodologist I–III, Survey Specialist I–II
  • Designed surveys, questionnaires, and field protocols.
  • Designed and performed user experience interviews.
  • Conducted data analysis and developed visualization prototypes.
  • Supported proposal development and authored methodological reports.

Bowling Green State University (2004–2009)

  • Research Analyst, Center for Family & Demographic Research
  • Instructor / Teaching Assistant, Sociology Department

Select Projects

Data Interactives & Dashboards


Infographics & Visual Reports


Virtual Reality Video

Grants

  • NSF Grant #2346660 – “Collaborative Research: Framework for Better Visual Communication Practices.” Principal Investigator. Award Period: 2024–2027.
  • NSF Grant #2219283 – “Collaborative Research: HNDS-I: Repository and Benchmarking Dashboard for Campus Climate Data on Sexual Misconduct.” Principal Investigator. Award Period: 2022–2025.

Webinars & Short Courses

  • Better Practices of Data Visualization in Communicating Survey Data – AAPOR Webinar, October 2024. Link
  • Discussion and Practical Application of Data Visualization Best Practices using Survey Data – UNC Odum Institute, February 2022.
  • Discussion and Practical Application of Data Visualization Best Practices using Survey Data – UNC Odum Institute, April 2019.
  • Creating Infographics and Fact Sheets: Tools, Resources, and the Design Process – Emory Centers Webinar, August 2019.
  • Discussion and Practical Application of Data Visualization Best Practices – MAPOR Webinar Series, October 2019.
  • Data Visualization for Survey Research – AAPOR Conference Short Course, May 2018.
  • Data Visualization for Survey Research – ASA Kansas/Western Missouri Symposium, April. 2018
  • Masterclass 2018: How to Apply Data Visualization Tools with Survey Research Data – The Research Society Webinar, August 2018.

Select Publications & Expert Contributions

  • du Toit, N. "Ask the right questions to make the right data visualization." Web Blog Post June 2025
  • du Toit, N., Lerner, J., Rice, K., Hofmann, H., & Mulrow, E. "Measuring how well U.S. adults understand data graphics using a nationally representative sample." AAPOR Annual Meetings 2024.
  • Rice, K., Hoffman, H., du Toit, N., & Mulrow, E. "Testing perceptual accuracy in a U.S. general population survey using stacked bar charts." Journal of Data Science, 22(2), 280. DOI link
  • Rice, K., Hoffman, H., & du Toit, N. "Testing charts for accuracy and interpretation." Roundtable, ASA Joint Statistical Meetings 2023.
  • Rice, K., Hoffman, H., du Toit, N., & Mulrow, E. "Testing charts for accuracy and interpretation." Presentation at Symposium on Data Science and Statistics 2023.
  • Sepulvado, B., Fordyce, E., Hansen, C., Christian, L. & du Toit, N. "Using NLP to Achieve a More Equitable and Inclusive Survey Design?." Presentation, SREE Annual Meeting 2023.
  • Mulrow, E., & du Toit, N. "Visual communication of data." In Computational Statistics in Data Science, pp. 389–402. Wiley 2022. ISBN: 978-1-119-56107-1.
  • Carr, D., du Toit, N., et al. "Innovative graphics for NCES online reports." Panel paper, NISS 2021. Report
  • Mulrow, E., & du Toit, N. “Visual Communication of Data.” In Wiley StatsRef 2021. DOI link
  • du Toit, N., & Mulrow, E. "Writing code is the easy part." Invited paper, ASA Joint Statistical Meetings 2021.
  • du Toit, N. "A smorgasbord of data visualization methods." Discussant, ASA Joint Statistical Meetings 2021.
  • du Toit, N., Arends, L., & Rice, K. "Teamwork makes the viz work." Good Tech Fest presentation 2021.
  • du Toit, N., Titus, J., & Latterner, M. "The Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey COVID-19 Data Tool." APDU Conference 2021. Award presentation
  • du Toit, N., Mulrow, E., et al. "Creating an interactive visualization of GSS data." JSM Proceedings 2020, 2166–2174.
  • du Toit, N., & Mulrow, E. "Presenting uncertainty in graphical format." JSM Proceedings 2019, 1464–1478.
  • Brummet, Q., Herman, P., et al. "Creating tract-level housing characteristics." Poster, JSM Data Expo 2019.
  • du Toit, N., & Mulrow, E. “The Life-cycle of a Project.” Presentation, ASA CSP Annual Meeting 2018.
  • du Toit, N., & Mulrow, E. “Do You Agree or Strongly Agree...” Presentation, AAPOR Annual Meeting 2017.
  • du Toit, N., & Mulrow, E. “Good Old Excel.” Presentation, ASA CSP Annual Meeting 2017.

Awards & Honors

  • Judge, SAID in Graphics Data Visualization Contest 2021, 2022 Contest Link
  • Association of Public Data Users Data Viz Award 2021
  • Survey Research Methods Section, Joint Statistical Meetings Poster Award 2019
  • Population Association of America Poster Award 2009