Frequently Asked Questions

General

RLadies+ is a worldwide organization whose mission is to promote gender diversity in the R community. We support minority genders — including cis/trans women, trans men, non-binary, genderqueer, and agender individuals — to reach their programming potential. With 200+ chapters across 60+ countries and over 100,000 members, we are one of the largest communities in the R ecosystem.
Our community told us that not everyone felt seen in the name “R-Ladies.” After a public discussion on GitHub running from April to November 2024, the Global Leadership Team decided on RLadies+. The + signals broader inclusivity while preserving our well-established identity. The new visual identity was created in collaboration with Science Graphic Design . See the Rebrand FAQ for common questions about the transition.
Anyone who identifies as a woman or gender minority and is interested in R is welcome. Our community includes newcomers learning their first lines of code, experienced package developers, conference speakers, educators, and industry professionals. Allies of all genders are welcome to attend events, though leadership roles and certain programs are reserved for minority genders.
While R is at our core, our community embraces the broader data science ecosystem. Many chapters host events covering Python, SQL, Git, statistics, and other tools alongside R. You do not need to be an experienced R user to join — beginners are very welcome.
Yes. RLadies+ is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit registered as R-Ladies Global in the state of California, United States. Donations to RLadies+ are tax-deductible in the United States.

Chapters

Visit our Chapters page to browse all active chapters on an interactive map and searchable table. You can filter by country or search by city. Most chapters also have a presence on Meetup .
We love seeing new chapters! Fill out the chapter organiser form to get started. You’ll be connected with the global team who will help you set up. Our RLadies+ Guide has detailed instructions on starting a chapter, running events, and finding speakers. You can also join our mentoring program to get paired with an experienced organiser.
Formats vary by chapter but commonly include talks, workshops, tutorials, code-alongs, book clubs, and social networking events. Some chapters meet monthly, others less frequently. Events can be in-person, online, or hybrid. Check your local chapter’s page for upcoming events.
Absolutely. Our mentoring program pairs new or solo organisers with experienced ones who can help with finding speakers, choosing formats, boosting engagement, and more. You can also reach out on our Community Slack for support.

Getting Involved

There are many ways to get involved:

Yes! Chapters are always looking for speakers. Contact your local chapter directly or reach out on our Community Slack. Talks can be about anything related to R, data science, or your professional journey — all experience levels are welcome. If you’d like feedback on your abstract first, check out our Abstract Review program .

Organizations can support us in several ways:

  • Sponsor a local chapter — provide venue space, food, or beverages for events
  • Host events — offer your space for meetups or workshops
  • Nominate speakers — recommend RLadies+ members for conferences and talks
  • Financial contributions — donate via PayPal
  • Promote internally — encourage employees to attend and participate
Our website and many other projects are open source on GitHub . Check out the issues labelled “help wanted” for good starting points. You can also write for our blog or contribute to the RLadies+ Guide .

Programs & Initiatives

The mentoring program connects new chapter organisers with experienced ones. Mentors help with common challenges like finding speakers, choosing event formats, and maintaining engagement. Sign up here to be matched with a mentor.
The RoCur is our rotating Bluesky account (@weare.rladies.org ) where a different community member takes over each week to share their work, interests, and experiences. It’s a great way to spotlight minority gender R users and keep the community engaged. Sign up to curate or nominate someone .
We have over 80 international reviewers who provide constructive feedback on conference abstracts and funding applications. Whether you’re submitting to a major conference or applying for a grant, our reviewers can help strengthen your proposal. Submit an abstract for review or become a reviewer .
Our Slack workspace is open to women and gender minorities interested in R. It’s a space for asking questions, sharing resources, job postings, event announcements, and connecting with the global community. The Code of Conduct applies to all Slack interactions. Join here .
Yes! We welcome posts about tutorials, community stories, event recaps, career journeys, and more. Submit a blog proposal and our editorial team will help you through the process.

Code of Conduct

Our Code of Conduct applies to all RLadies+ spaces — including meetups, social media, Slack, and online/offline events. We are dedicated to providing a harassment-free experience for everyone. The CoC covers offensive comments, unwelcome commentary, deliberate misgendering, unwelcome sexual attention, threats, stalking, and more.
If you experience or witness a violation, please email reporting@rladies.org . Reports are handled confidentially by the Global Leadership Team. We prioritise the safety of marginalised people in all decisions. You can also report directly to a local chapter organiser if you feel more comfortable doing so.

Rebrand

Our community told us that the name “R-Ladies” didn’t reflect everyone we serve. RLadies+ has always supported all underrepresented genders — cis and trans women, trans men, non-binary, genderqueer, and agender individuals — but the old name made some of those people feel unseen. The + makes the implicit explicit. Read the full story in our rebrand announcement .
The official name is RLadies+ — one word, capital R, capital L, with a + at the end. Avoid “R-Ladies+”, “R Ladies Plus”, or “RLadies Plus” — always use RLadies+ with the + symbol. For your chapter, it’s RLadies+ [City], e.g. RLadies+ Berlin.
“R Ladies plus” — three words, just as it reads.
No. The mission has not changed — RLadies+ has always been for all underrepresented genders. The + makes that commitment visible in the name. No group is newly included or excluded.
You’re an RLadies+ member, or simply part of the RLadies+ community. Whatever feels right to you — there’s no single required label.

We’ve prepared a branding package so you don’t have to design anything yourself. Here’s a checklist:

  • Meetup / event platform — update your group name and logo
  • Social media accounts — update display name and profile image (you don’t need to change your handle if the platform makes that difficult)
  • Slide decks and event banners — switch to the new templates from the branding materials
  • Website or landing page — swap in the new logo and update the name

See the RLadies+ Guide branding section for detailed instructions.

We’re aiming for end of 2026 as the target for all chapters to have transitioned. This is not a hard cutoff — we know every chapter runs on volunteer time. Start when you’re ready; the branding package is available now. If you need help, reach out on the Organizer Slack.
Update your display name to include the +. Changing the actual handle (e.g. @RLadiesBerlin) is optional. We are aware the many platforms don’t support characters like ‘+’ in usernames, and changing it can cause past mentions or links to your account to stop working. If you can change it easily, great; if not, the display name is what matters most.
Safety comes first, always. Chapters in countries where LGBTQ+ rights are criminalized or under threat are not expected to adopt the new branding if doing so would put community members at risk. Local organizers know their context best, and the Global Leadership Team fully supports that judgment. You can continue using the previous branding. We only ask that chapters organizers communicate this situation to the Leadership Team
Yes. Existing materials don’t need to be recalled or deleted. Conference talk recordings, printed stickers, and old slide decks are part of our history. Going forward, use the new branding for new materials.
No. RLadies+ is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit registered as R-Ladies. The legal nonprofit name remains R-Ladies for now — we are exploring what it takes to update it. This does not affect your chapter, donations, or tax-deductible status.
Everything is available in the branding materials Google Drive . For R users, the spellbind package provides brand colours, the glamour Quarto extension provides presentation and document templates, and the cloak package provides a pkgdown theme.