Report on the Development of a Multidimensional Data Service for the Arts and Humanities

This report presents results from the AHRC-funded project for scoping a National Data Service 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. Our findings demonstrate 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.