Vienna 2003 | Schedule

ECAI Session 4 - Building the Infrastructure

Sheila Anderson Chair

Sheila Anderson, "Summary of previous sessions"

Paul S. Ell, "Data creation"

This paper outlines various approaches to gathering attribute data to populate a GIS. It concentrates on semi-automated bulk capture of alpha and numeric data using Optical Character Recognition Technology but also discusses a range of multimedia resources which might be captured for work in the arts and humanities.

William Kilbride, "Data Preservation, Access and Integration"

The theme of digital preservation remains at the core of many concerns with electronic publishing and with efforts to create and extend digital creativity. This is particularly pressing in the arts and humanities where acceptance of digital publishing has not been as thorough and rapid as it has been in the physical and medical sciences. Proponents of digital technology initiatives must therefore be prepared to answer detailed questions on how and why and what should be preserved.

Drawing on the experiences of the archaeology community in the UK, this presentation will look at the whys and wherefores of digital preservation. Three related issues will be discussed: why we should preserve; what we should preserve and how we should preserve it. In the first case, a basic need to preserve will be articulated in response to the overarching pressures of funding agencies, as well as within the discourses of academic work. In the second case, it will become clear that preservation requires selectivity: that we need to work out the levels of preservation for different instances of electronic creativity. In the third case, it will be argued that, while software and hardware are normally cited as the main foundation of digital preservation, in fact it is effective documentation that is the key.

Ian Gregory, "Training and Education"

If we are increase awareness of the importance of space and time in the arts, humanities and social sciences, training is key. Key in terms of providing guidance in the use of suitable methodological approaches but also in terms of using software and hardware. This paper discusses ECAI's training programme in the US and joint University of Portsmouth and Arts and Humanities Data Service training in Europe.

David Bodenhamer, "Organizational Models"

Much of the newer humanities and social science scholarship that uses GIS must necessarily be a interdisciplinary and sometimes transnational collaborative enterprise involving both subject area and technology experts. What models are available for organizing these efforts and how can projects work effectively across disciplines and national cultures? This paper examines the organizational problems and prospects for this new type of research.

Paul S. Ell, "Funding Models"

Funders need to be convinced of the importance of spatial and temporal approaches in research. Without funding progress is unlikely to be made. This paper discusses various funding models from piecemeal funding for bespoke specific research projects to large national and EU funding proposals to create national or international research resources.