Linked Open Data in Heritage Research Workshop

Please note that this workshop is exclusively for Maastricht University staff members.

The “Linked Open Data in Heritage Research Workshop” is designed for researchers, PhD students and research supporters who are eager to discover how linked open data (LOD) can amplify their work in heritage and beyond. This workshop offers an accessible introduction to the principles and benefits of LOD, ensuring participants from all levels of familiarity can grasp how it enables connections and the sharing of research data.

Participants will gain valuable insights through a presentation that introduces Omeka S as a platform for managing and publishing digital collections, highlights the functionality of the NDE dataset register, and touches upon the foundational concepts of triple store technologies for semantic web applications. The workshop will offer an interactive opportunity to familiarise with these tools and the fundamental aspects of LOD, with a focus on how LOD can be practically implemented in their own research contexts.

The session aims to inform and initiate a dialogue on the potential of LOD, fostering a collaborative environment for knowledge exchange. Group and plenary discussions will be central to identifying community needs, addressing questions, and suggesting practical enhancements to tailor LOD applications more effectively within heritage research at Maastricht University.

We aim for this workshop to be a practical step towards enhancing research capabilities using LOD. Join us to discover how linked open data can assist in managing, connecting, sharing, enriching, accessing, finding, reusing, combining, and visualising research data. Your participation is crucial in helping us understand and meet the specific requirements of our research community.

Requirement: Please bring your own laptop for the hands-on portion of the workshop.

Agenda

Presentation (1:00 PM – 1:45 PM):
• Showcasing LOD in UM’s Special Collections
• Fundamentals of linked data: principles and tangible benefits
• Functional overview and demonstration of Omeka S, with an emphasis on how the dataset register enhances data discoverability and reusability for research

Group Discussion (1:45 PM – 2:30 PM):
During this interactive session, participants will engage in hands-on exploration of Omeka S. The aim is to provide a practical understanding of the platform and to consider how its features might serve various research needs. Participants will examine the tool’s functions and reflect on how it could be integrated into their research processes. Insights and questions from this session will contribute to the ensuing plenary discussion, enriching our collective understanding of the practical applications of linked open data.

Plenary Discussion (2:30 PM – 3 PM):
• Open discussion to share findings and insights.
• Q&A segment to address questions.
• Summarising key takeaways and outlining next steps.

Speakers and Discussion Session Moderator:
• Odin Essers
• Maarten Coonen
• Maryam Mazaheri

Registration:
Registration will be via Qualtrics. Please provide your name, department, position/role, any prior experience with Linked Data, research interest, specific questions or challenges that you hope to solve or learn via attending this session. Read more about this workshop.

Location:
The Plant
Grote Gracht 76 (Room 0.10)
Maastricht