Humanities Data Inquiry: A Community of Practice Exploring Data Issues in the Humanities and Heritage Research

This poster provides a snapshot of the Humanities Data Inquiry (HDI), a new community of practice exploring data issues in Humanities and Cultural Heritage (HCH) research. The last decade has seen great advances in the development of infrastructure, tools, and principles for the collection, storage, discovery, and dissemination of research data, and investment in a robust and rapidly emerging Open and FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable) research data ecosystem. While Humanities and Cultural Heritage (HCH) researchers and projects are encouraged to engage with this evolving research data ecosystem, the fit is often poor as this ecosystem is largely built with the needs of "Big Data" Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) in mind. Where Big Data STEM typically involves large datasets produced through experiment, observation, or analysis, "Small Data" HCH research often involves deep analysis and intensive curation of relatively small data sets — particularly when it comes to datasets focused on the representation of cultural texts and objects, such as editions and exhibits.

Outlining the basic problems associated with data in HCH and Open Science infrastructure frameworks, this poster describes in overview how HDI is creating a space for community engagement and input through thoughtful, bidirectional communication among grass-roots researchers and between grass-roots researchers and the organizations responsible for creating and supporting the Open and FAIR ecosystem. Finally, the poster presents areas of future development and pathways for future involvement in the community of practice as well as the program’s expected outcomes.