Collections, Objects and Data Literacy: Establishing a Data Literacy Centre for Scientific University Collections (SODa)

The approximately 1,400 scientific collections held by universities and higher education institutions in Germany and used in research and teaching harbour great potential. In order to realise this potential effectively and in a future-oriented way, both data literacy and digital infrastructures are required. The collaborative project SODa will take a decisive step forward here.

Initiated and managed by the Coordination Centre for Scientific University Collections in Germany, which is based at the Zentrum für Kulturtechnik at HU Berlin, SODa will develop and establish a nationwide data literacy centre. This will be predominantly a virtual meeting place for all those who teach and conduct research in and with scientific university and higher education collections. Data skills will be taught via e-learning, at events, in working groups and through collaborations. Concepts and methods will be discussed, as well as researched and developed collaboratively. The primary objective is to establish concepts and knowledge of contemporary research data management that meet both the specific requirements of scientific collections and their objects, and modern criteria of openness, quality, usability and sustainability.