Digital Society ‘Deep Dive’

This 'deep dive' session looked at UK heritage science digital infrastructure, aiming to uncover structural challenges, hear about potential solutions (RICHeS* and E-RIHS**), and inform the development of the future digital landscape for heritage science research.

'Digital society' is one of five societal challenges identified by the NHSF Excellent Research working group. The challenge is: 'integrate technological innovation and data science into heritage science research and practise to transform the way that collections, buildings and archaeology are managed, accessed and understood'. 

These societal challenges inspire and encourage connections between heritage science research and five issues of importance to society. Find out more about the societal challenges here.

Each of the societal challenges will be explored in greater detail as the topic of an NHSF Member Meeting, coordinated by the Excellent Research working group.

This first meeting provided attendees with an overview of priorities, challenges and recommendations for a UK heritage science infrastructure; shared learnings from other similar projects like Historic Environment Scotland's 'Heritage Hub' and DARE UK's data research infrastructure; gave an update on RICHeS Digital Research Services; and unpacked the use of FAIR data principles in a distributed research infrastructure context.

A summary of the event is available here: Digital Society 'Deep Dive' Event Summary (pdf)

Digital Society ‘Deep Dive’ Programme 

3rd May 2023, 10.30-13.00, Online (Zoom) 

1. Welcome - Constantina Vlachou, Co-Convenor of NHSF ‘Excellent Research’ working group 

2. Overview of heritage science digital infrastructure needs, challenges & priority areas for investment

3. RICHeS Digital Research Services - Joanna Dunster, Head of (Research) Infrastructure, AHRC

4. E-RIHS DIGILAB - Joseph Padfield, The National Gallery, London

5. Interoperable Digital Infrastructure for Sensitive Data - Rob Baxter, DARE UK

6. Question session

  • Do initiatives in place and under development (RICHeS and E-RIHS DIGILAB) address community needs?
  • How do the initiatives complement each other?
  • Are there gaps for RICHeS/other initiatives to fill?
  • How can duplication be avoided?
  • What role can NHSF play in the development of UK digital infrastructure for heritage science? 

 

* RICHeS - Research Infrastructure for Conservation and Heritage Science

** E-RIHS - European Research Infrastructure for Heritage Science