Transatlantic Perspectives on the Use of Data Science in Museums and Heritage

目前数据科学的发展已经应用于整个商业世界，但它们也为改善文化机构的游客体验提供了丰富的可能性，潜在的好处是巨大的。事实上，在2016-17年度，52%的英国人参观了博物馆，74%的人参观了遗产遗址。这是一个令人鼓舞的参与水平，但仍有增加参与的巨大潜力。例如，来自美国的数据显示，2002年至2012年间，美术馆、画廊和遗产遗址的参观人数出现了明显下降。英国最近的数据反映了这一点；例如，从2015/16年度到2016/17年度，政府资助的博物馆和画廊的参观人数下降了0.8%。为了增加游客数量，改善现有观众的体验，我们需要更好地了解游客的反应和要求。根据这一目标，该项目将创建一个网络，以调查利用先进的数据科学实现博物馆现有游客数据(如参观人数、社交媒体评论)的全部潜力，以了解和改善游客参与的可能性。我们的多学科网络包括来自历史学、心理学、计算机科学和电子工程的学者，以及由英美博物馆、遗产组织和技术公司组成的不同团队：-殖民地威廉斯堡(美国弗吉尼亚州)是世界上最大的在世历史博物馆，拥有40多个遗址和两个艺术博物馆。-历史皇家宫殿经营着英国最具标志性的六座宫殿，包括伦敦塔和汉普顿宫廷。-美国宾夕法尼亚州费城的富兰克林研究所是美国历史最悠久、最受尊敬的科学博物馆之一。-苏塞克斯过去经营着各种遗址和博物馆，包括菲什本罗马宫、刘易斯城堡和克利夫斯宫的安妮。-JORVIK集团包括约克市的五个遗产景点，包括世界著名的JORVIK维京中心。-皇家霍洛威画廊拥有世界级的维多利亚艺术收藏。-Mechdyne是可视化、3D、商业环境中的VR和机器学习。-Smartify是一家中小企业，其应用程序允许博物馆参观者使用AR接收详细信息，博物馆可以接收生成的数据分析。这些合作文化机构的不同性质将为我们的网络提供独特的多样化视角，将通过一系列网络活动和会议共享。我们的最后一次会议将确定未来资助研究项目和网络发展的具体计划。计划的活动还将生成讨论的文件记录。这些将在我们的合作伙伴和AHRC中传播，以期在不断变化的技术格局中告知未来优先事项的形状。

Current developments in data science have been employed across the commercial world but they also offer a wealth of possibilities for improving visitor experience in cultural institutions, with potential benefits on a significant scale. Indeed, in 2016-17, 52% of British people visited a museum and 74% visited a heritage site. This represents an encouraging level of engagement, however there remains significant potential for increasing participation. For example, figures from the US suggest that attendance at art museums, galleries and heritage sites showed a clear decline between 2002 and 2012. This is mirrored in recent UK figures; for example, visits to government sponsored museums and galleries declined by 0.8% in the single year from 2015/16 to 2016/17. To increase visitor numbers, and improve the experience for existing audiences, we need to develop a better understanding of visitors' responses and requirements. In line with this aim, this project will create a network to investigate the possibilities for using advanced data science to realise the full potential of museums' existing visitor data (e.g. visitor numbers, social media comments) in order to understand and improve visitor engagement.Our multidisciplinary network comprises academics from History, Psychology, Computer Science and Electronic Engineering, in combination with a diverse team of British and American museums, heritage organisations and technology companies:- Colonial Williamsburg (Virginia, US) is the world's largest living history museum, with over forty sites and two art museums.- Historic Royal Palaces runs six of the UK's most iconic palaces, including the Tower of London and Hampton Court.- The Franklin Institute in Philadelphia (Pennsylvania, US) is one of America's oldest and most respected science museums.- Sussex Past runs a variety of heritage sites and museums including Fishbourne Roman Palace, Lewes Castle and Anne of Cleves House.- The JORVIK Group comprises five heritage attractions in the city of York, including the world-famous JORVIK Viking Centre.- Royal Holloway's Picture Gallery boasts a world-class collection of Victorian art.- Mechdyne is a leading innovator in visualisation, 3D, VR and machine learning in commercial contexts.- Smartify is an SME with an app that allows museum visitors to receive detailed information using AR and museums to receive the data analytics generated.The varied nature of these partnering cultural institutions will provide our network with a uniquely diverse range of perspectives that will be shared through a range of networking events and meetings. Our final meeting will identify concrete plans for future funded research projects and network development. The planned activities will also generate documentary records of the discussions. These will be disseminated across our partners and the AHRC with a view to informing the shape of future priorities in a constantly shifting technological landscape.