Scoping a Data Service for Complex 3D Data in the Arts and Humanities
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Brighton
Department Name: Sch of Computing, Engineering & Maths
Abstract
This project will address an existing gap to support researchers and practitioners communities working with complex 3D data, including data related to material and digital cultures, to enhance the national data services for arts and humanities. This existing gap is rapidly growing as digitisation hardware and tools become more accessible for arts and humanities researchers to use within the research process. Examples of data include 3-dimensional (3D) data resulting from born-digital materials and systems (i.e. Virtual Reality environments), as well as processes such as 3D modelling, structure from motion, (also known as photogrammetry), 3D scanning. It also includes other imagery resulting from non-invasive digital imaging such as computerised tomography (CT), multi and hyperspectral imagery, pigment analysis, and optical microscopy. As such, there is an urgent need to provide community-led services, as opposed to private industry tools, for researchers to use.
The research will use a collaborative and interdisciplinary approach to investigate and address the needs of current and future researchers. Hence, the project will be community-led with interdisciplinary academics and practitioners leading the various activities. Institutions involved include the University of Brighton, Kings College London, University College London, University of the West of England, University of Cambridge, University of Edinburgh, University of Dundee, Duke University (US), The National Archives, Historic Environment Scotland, British Library, Victoria and Albert (V&A) Museum, and the International Image Interoperability Framework (IIIF)-3D community.
Five activities will be co-developed by this team including establishing user requirements, evaluating existing solutions, in particular the MorphoSource 3D repository, financial planning, developing of the specification as well as communicating and disseminating with stakeholders the various projects activities and outputs.
The outcome of the research will be a published fully costed specification for design and develop an innovative interoperable Trusted Data Repository and Service (TDRS) that will provide enhanced capabilities for research using complex 3D data and for putting research outputs into practice within various sectors, including the GLAM and creative industries. The project will also identify skills and capacity building required by the community.
The research will use a collaborative and interdisciplinary approach to investigate and address the needs of current and future researchers. Hence, the project will be community-led with interdisciplinary academics and practitioners leading the various activities. Institutions involved include the University of Brighton, Kings College London, University College London, University of the West of England, University of Cambridge, University of Edinburgh, University of Dundee, Duke University (US), The National Archives, Historic Environment Scotland, British Library, Victoria and Albert (V&A) Museum, and the International Image Interoperability Framework (IIIF)-3D community.
Five activities will be co-developed by this team including establishing user requirements, evaluating existing solutions, in particular the MorphoSource 3D repository, financial planning, developing of the specification as well as communicating and disseminating with stakeholders the various projects activities and outputs.
The outcome of the research will be a published fully costed specification for design and develop an innovative interoperable Trusted Data Repository and Service (TDRS) that will provide enhanced capabilities for research using complex 3D data and for putting research outputs into practice within various sectors, including the GLAM and creative industries. The project will also identify skills and capacity building required by the community.
Organisations
- University of Brighton (Lead Research Organisation)
- University of Cambridge (Project Partner)
- Victoria and Albert Museum (Project Partner)
- University of Dundee (Project Partner)
- Mnemoscene (Project Partner)
- National Archives (Project Partner)
- British Library (Project Partner)
- University of Edinburgh (Project Partner)
- Historic Environment Scotland (Project Partner)
| Description | This project produced evidence as well as a report on the user requirements to support the creation, archival, analysis, publishing, aggregation and use of multidimensional (2D/3D/4D) data in the arts and humanities. The research was co-developed by an interdisciplinary research team to identify users' needs, relevant initiatives, detailed insight into research and documentation practices as well as ongoing challenges for supporting research in the arts and humanities. The project findings demonstrated the growing interest in deploying multidimensional data within research projects both in Higher Education and Gallery, Libraries, Archives and Museums (GLAMs) institutions, for instance for documenting objects and environments in collections and archives, heritage science processes and for creative practices. Yet, the potential of the data which is produced remains under-exploited, inaccessible and under-used. Our findings highlight the need to level the playing field for researchers across small, medium and large institutions, democratise access to knowledge and resources, and drive innovation and growth in the UK through novel uses of data. Thus, we propose state-of-the-art infrastructure which addresses user needs to underpin innovative research and institutional practices. Leveraging international initiatives, including interoperability and metadata standards, this infrastructure will lead to a variety of modalities for the aggregation, publication, linkage and re-use of the data. This will enable impact aggregation across and beyond the Arts and Humanities research community. |
| Exploitation Route | Yes, the AHRC has seen the report we produced and will inform plans for building infrastructure to support arts and humanities researchers. |
| Sectors | Creative Economy,Digital/Communication/Information Technologies (including Software),Government, Democracy and Justice,Culture, Heritage, Museums and Collections |
| URL | https://blogs.brighton.ac.uk/3ddataservice/ |
| Description | The project's findings have initially influenced organisations' practices and policies, such as those with whom the project engaged through workshops and user surveys, particularly regarding data management. The current practices surrounding data management and curation need many improvements, as well as access to suitable infrastructure which ensures the curation and preservation of the data. The project developments and its findings allowed them to reflect on these practices, and identify where improvements can be made. We expect in the short-medium term there will be further support in this area, partially, as a result of the project. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2022 |
| Impact Types | Policy & public services |
| Description | A Roadmap for a National Training Centre on Multidimensional Digital Media in the Arts and Humanities |
| Amount | £319,040 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | AH/X007626/1 |
| Organisation | Arts & Humanities Research Council (AHRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 01/2023 |
| End | 12/2023 |
| Description | A conversation about 3D technologies in the European Common Data Space with |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | This talk was presented at CARARE's annual conference, which is an opportunity for the European network to come together and to showcase technologies and share experiences of making heritage as well as archaeological collections accessible online. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://www.carare.eu/en/events/carare-2022-connecting/ |