R package development workshop

Welcome to the R package development workshop!

The modules use materials originally developed by Forwards, the taskforce for underrepresented groups in the R community. I adapted and updated the material and taught it for three years at The University of Warwick, then taught the course again for Forwards in June/July 2025, as part of the Forwards teaching team. This iteration of the course builds on that latest version for Forwards.

Syllabus overview

This is a hands-on workshop consisting of five modules, covering the entire process of creating an R package: functions and data, checking and testing, all levels of documentation, publication and maintenance.

The material is based on the book R Packages (2nd edition) by Hadley Wickham and Jennifer Bryan. It is freely availble online.

All slides and further resources can be accessed from the modules page.

Prerequistes

Please see the prerequisites page for details on getting set up in advance of the first module.

Instructor

The workshop is taught by Ella Kaye.