Davis Python Users Group (DPUG)
About this Community of Practice
The Davis Python Users Group (DPUG) is a friendly users group where community members, including DataLab staff, discuss their experiences, discoveries, and questions about using Python and about research computing in general. The group is currently led by Data Scientist Nick Ulle.
Most DPUG meetings are informal “studio” sessions, which may begin with a short presentation (15-20 minutes) to prompt discussion. You’re encouraged to share your perspectives, bring your own questions, or just pull up a virtual seat and code along. Studio meetings are generally hybrid meetings (in-person and over Zoom) and do not require registration in advance. Zoom links for studio meetings are sent out to the mailing list a few days in advance.
We also occasionally host special events and formal workshop sessions where one or more instructors teach a topic to a wider audience. Special events and workshops usually do require registration in advance.
Upcoming Events
This group meets every other week. Zoom links are sent out to the mailing list and Slack channel. Next meeting:
Fall 2025 Schedule
This quarter the group meets 3-4pm every other Tuesday in-person in Shields 362 and virtually on Zoom (join the Slack channel or mailing list for the link).
| Date | Topic | Discussion Leader |
|---|---|---|
| Oct 7 | Initial Meeting | Nick Ulle |
| Oct 21 | Getting Started with DuckDB | Nick Ulle |
| Nov 4 | Refactoring: When to Do It, and When to Not Waste Your Time | Cameron Riddell |
| Nov 18 | TBA | |
| Dec 2 | TBA | |
We sometimes end the quarter with Python in Practice: 5-minute lightning presentations from DPUG members about how they’re using or plan to use Python.
Slack Channel
DPUG has a public channel, #python-users-group, on the UC Davis Slack.
Mailing List
You can add and manage your subscriptions via the Sympa mailing list manager or by sending an email using the instructions below.
To subscribe to the DPUG mailing list, send an email to sympa@ucdavis.edu with the subject line:
subscribe python-users-group firstname lastname
Replace firstname and lastname with your actual first and last name.
To unsubscribe, send an email to sympa@ucdavis.edu with the subject line:
signoff python-users-group email@youraddress.com
Replace email@youraddress.com with your actual email).
For help, see IET’s Mailing lists User Guide and subscription help.
Membership
DPUG is open to anyone in the Davis community interested in Python for research, other professional work, or as a hobby (for homework help please go to your instructor/TA).
The group was founded by Professor Andrew Fox. Past graduate student co-organizers include Cameron Riddell, Maggie Berrens, and Viktoria Haghani.