In my dissertation, I present a social-relational approach to research and design in data visualization. Applying the social-relational concept as a lens, I explore how people’s interactions with data visualizations are enmeshed with their distinct social worlds. Thus, data visualizations may enable people to relate to visual information in socially oriented ways that extend beyond the cognitive interpretation of datasets. I explored social-relational qualities through data visualization activities in reflexive collaborations with academic researchers and designers from multiple disciplines. Then, I co-constructed a data physicalization with members of the general public who were not researchers or designers. My projects’ social-relational approach to data visualization practices promoted introspection, self-expression, and rapport building. Moreover, interactive experiences among members of the public co-constructing a data physicalization with a researcher revealed nuanced social-relational dimensions. Lastly, I characterize social-relational themes in my projects to inform considerations specific to researching and designing for socially oriented engagement with data visualizations.