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

当前数据科学的发展已被应用于商业领域，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，并具有巨大的潜在效益。事实上，在2016- 2017年，52%的英国人参观了博物馆，74%的英国人参观了遗产遗址。这代表了令人鼓舞的参与水平，但是，增加参与的潜力仍然很大。例如，来自美国的数据显示，2002年至2012年间，艺术博物馆、画廊和文化遗址的参观人数明显下降。英国最近的数据也反映了这一点；例如，从2015/16年到2016/17年，政府资助的博物馆和画廊的访问量在一年内下降了0.8%。为了增加参观人数，并改善现有观众的体验，我们需要更好地了解游客的反应和需求。为了实现这一目标，该项目将创建一个网络，研究使用先进的数据科学来实现博物馆现有游客数据（如游客数量、社交媒体评论）的全部潜力的可能性，以了解和提高游客参与度。我们的多学科网络包括历史，心理学，计算机科学和电子工程的学者，以及英国和美国博物馆，遗产组织和技术公司的多元化团队：-殖民威廉斯堡（美国弗吉尼亚州）是世界上最大的活历史博物馆，拥有40多个遗址和两个艺术博物馆。-历史悠久的皇家宫殿运营着英国六座最具标志性的宫殿，包括伦敦塔和汉普顿宫。位于美国宾夕法尼亚州费城的富兰克林研究所是美国最古老、最受尊敬的科学博物馆之一。-苏塞克斯过去经营着各种遗产遗址和博物馆，包括菲什伯恩罗马宫、刘易斯城堡和克利夫斯安妮之家。- 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。-皇家霍洛威美术馆拥有世界级的维多利亚艺术收藏。- Mechdyne是商业环境中可视化、3D、VR和机器学习领域的领先创新者。- Smartify是一家中小企业，其应用程序允许博物馆游客使用AR接收详细信息，博物馆接收生成的数据分析。这些合作的文化机构性质各异，将为我们的网络提供独特多样的视角，并通过一系列网络活动和会议进行分享。我们的最后一次会议将确定未来资助的研究项目和网络发展的具体计划。计划的活动还将产生讨论的书面记录。这些报告将在我们的合作伙伴和人权委员会之间传播，以期在不断变化的技术环境中为未来优先事项的形成提供信息。

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.