Networking Archaeological Data
and Communities
An NEH Institute for Advanced Topics in the Digital Humanities
Institute Format
Networking Archaeological Data and Communities is organized around four semesters devoted to specific themes: The Data Management Lifecycle (Spring 2023), Data for Professional Communication (Fall 2023), Data for Diverse Publics (Spring 2024), and Data for the Classroom (Fall 2024). Each semester includes three or four online, synchronous workshops, scheduled on Saturdays from 10:30am - 1:10pm and 1:45pm - 3:30pm eastern time. Participants will be asked to complete a bit of preparatory work before each workshop, which will itself consist of faculty-led lectures and learning activities that contribute to individual and collective outcomes.
In addition to these online workshops, members of the Core Team will host two, in-person, multi-day summer programs (July 24 - 28, 2023 and July 22 - 26, 2024) at the Archaeological Research Facility at UC Berkeley. These programs will offer participants opportunities for in person collaboration, learning, and networking with other institute participants and members of the institute's Core Team. Furthermore, these programs will help cultivate a sense of community and accountability among participants.
Between the time spent in the online workshops and the in-person summer programs, participants, Faculty, and Core Team members will be encouraged to keep the conversation going on the AAI/OC's Discord server. Moreover, at the conclusion of our formal curriculum, in Spring and Summer 2025, members of the Core Team, Advisors, and Faculty will finalize and publish the Data Literacy for Archaeologists Practice Guide and will support participants as they finish up and share their individual projects.
Curriculum
Last updated: February 7, 2023
Please note that the curriculum that follows is tentative; both schedule and scope are subject to change at the discretion of the Program Director or the members of the Faculty. To download this curriculum as a pdf, click here.
Spring Semester I: The Data Management Lifecycle
January - April 2023
January 21, 2023
10:30am - 1:10pm / 1:45pm - 3:30pm Eastern
Online Workshop
Faculty
Melissa Cradic (Facilitator)
Leigh Anne Lieberman
Paulina F. Przystupa
Pre-Workshop Assignment
Read: Kansa, S. W., L. Atici, E. C. Kansa, and R. H. Meadow (2020) “Archaeological Analysis in the Information Age: Guidelines for Maximizing the Reach, Comprehensiveness, and Longevity of Data.” Advances in Archaeological Practice, 8 (1), 40-52. https://doi.org/10.1017/aap.2019.36.
Download & Install: Open Refine
Watch: Open Refine for Archaeology: Open Source Data Cleaning
Additional Resources
Dennis, L. Meghan and Paulina F. Przystupa. Cow-culating your Data with Spreadsheets and R. Data Story Tutorial. The Alexandria Archive Institute. 2022, DOI: https://doi.org/10.6078/M73N21HR.
Lincoln, Matthew D. "Tidy Data for the Humanities." Matthew Lincoln, PhD(blog), 26 May 2020, https://matthewlincoln.net/2020/05/26/tidy-data-for-humanities.html.
Rawson, Katie, and Trevor Muñoz. “Against Cleaning.” In Debates in the Digital Humanities 2019, 279–92. Minneapolis, MN: University of Minnesota Press, 2019.
Rivard, Courtney, Taylor Arnold, and Lauren Tilton. “Building Pedagogy into Project Development: Making Data Construction Visible in Digital Projects.” Digital Humanities Quarterly 13, no. 2 (August 1, 2019). http://www.digitalhumanities.org/dhq/vol/13/2/000419/000419.html.
Rosenberg, Daniel. “Data before the Fact.” In “Raw Data” Is an Oxymoron, 15–40. Infrastructures Series. Cambridge, MA: The MIT Press, 2013.
van Hooland, Seth, Ruben Verborgh, and Max De Wilde, "Cleaning Data with OpenRefine," Programming Historian 2 (2013), https://doi.org/10.46430/phen0023.
Participant Outcomes
- Familiarity with attributes of data quality, including unique identifiers, controlled vocabulary, appropriate documentation, etc.
- Experience finding and evaluating open archaeological data in online repositories.
- Experience cleaning messy data with a program like OpenRefine.
Collective Outcomes
- Annotated samples of clean archaeological data sets.
February 11, 2023
10:30am - 1:10pm / 1:45pm - 3:30pm Eastern
Online Workshop
Faculty
Anne Austin
Sarah Whitcher Kansa
Leigh Anne Lieberman (Facilitator)
Pre-Workshop Assignment
Read: Faniel, Ixchel, Anne Austin, Sarah Whitcher Kansa, Eric Kansa, Jennifer Jacobs, and Phoebe France (2021). “Identifying Opportunities for Collective Curation During Archaeological Excavations.” International Journal of Digital Curation 15, no. 1: 13. https://doi.org/10.2218/ijdc.v15i1.699.
Consider: Kansa, Sarah Whitcher, Austin, Anne, Faniel, Ixchel M, & Kansa, Eric C. (2020). Specialist Agreement Template. Zenodo. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.4346486.
As you consider the Specialist Agreement Template, how would you modify it for your own project? What’s missing? What would you cut? We’ll spend some time in our session reflection on these questions, so jot down some ideas and begin to adapt the template for your own context.
Prepare: If you have a current paper or digital data collection form for some aspect of archaeological field work, come ready to share that with the group, and be prepared to share an annotated version of that for our Data Literacy for Archaeologists Practice Guide.
Additional Resources
Ross, Shawn, Brian Ballsun-Stanton, Steve Cassidy, Penny Crook, Jens Klump, and Adela Sobotkova. “FAIRer Data through Digital Recording: The FAIMS Mobile Experience.” Journal of Computer Applications in Archaeology 5, no. 1 (2022): 271–85. https://doi.org/10.5334/jcaa.96.
White, Roger (2009) “Data Collection by Excavation.” The Oxford Handbook of Archaeology, eds. Chris Gosden, B. Cunliffe, and R. A. Joyce. New York City, NY: Oxford University Press.
Participant Outcomes
- Understanding of the ways that paper or digital data collection forms guide the types of data that are collected.
- Create paper and/or digital data collection forms for individual research projects that incorporate attributes of data quality.
Collective Outcomes
- Annotated samples that demonstrate how the Specialist Agreement Template can be adapted to fit a given project.
- Annotated samples of paper and digital data collection forms for multiple aspects of archaeological field work (e.g.: excavation, survey, flotation, materials analysis, etc.)
March 18, 2023
10:30am - 1:10pm / 1:45pm - 3:30pm Eastern
Online Workshop
Faculty
Anne Hunnell Chen
Sarah Whitcher Kansa (Facilitator)
Leigh Anne Lieberman
Bibliography
TBD
Participant Outcomes
- Understanding of the ways that legacy projects are distinct from field projects with respect to data curation and management.
- If applicable: outline a feasible, short-term proof of concept for individual research projects.
Collective Outcomes
- Annotated samples of legacy project workflows.
April 15, 2023
10:30am - 1:10pm / 1:45pm - 3:30pm Eastern
Online Workshop
Faculty
Ixchel M. Faniel
Eric Kansa
Leigh Anne Lieberman (Facilitator)
Bibliography
Faniel, I.M., A. Austin, E. C. Kansa, S. W. Kansa, P. France, J. Jacobs, R. Boytner, and E. Yakel (2018) “Beyond the archive: bridging data creation and reuse in archaeology.” Advances in Archaeological Practice, 6(2), 105-116.
Participant Outcomes
- Familiarity with the attributes of a good data management plan.
- Identification of a model for individual research projects’ data management plan.
Collective Outcomes
- Annotated samples of data management plans for archaeological research projects.
Summer Workshop I
July 2023
July 24 - 28, 2023
Berkeley, California
Faculty
Leigh Anne Lieberman
Sarah Whitcher Kansa
Eric Kansa
Melissa Cradic
L. Meghan Dennis
Paulina F. Przystupa
Schedule
Monday: Welcome
Tuesday & Wednesday: Data Management Plans for Individual Research Projects
Thursday & Friday: Applying Linked Open Data Standards
Participant Outcomes
- Opportunities to network with each other and institute Core Team.
- Data management plan for individual research projects drafted.
- Plan to incorporate appropriate Linked Open Data ontologies, vocabularies, and other resources into their research data sets drafted.
- Opportunity to present a brief update about progress since the start of the institute.
Collective Outcomes
- Annotated examples of Data Management Plans for archaeological research projects.
- Annotated examples of why and how to integrate Linked Open Data into general data management practices for archaeological research projects.
Fall Semester I: Data for Professional Communication
September - November 2023
September 9, 2023
10:30am - 1:10pm / 1:45pm - 3:30pm Eastern
Online Workshop
Faculty
L. Meghan Dennis
Eric Kansa
Leigh Anne Lieberman (Facilitator)
Bibliography
Dennis, L. M. (2020) “Digital archaeological ethics: Successes and failures in disciplinary attention.” Journal of Computer Applications in Archaeology, 3(1).
Participant Outcomes
- Familiarity with FAIR and CARE principles.
- Comprehensive working list of the ways in which individual research projects will put FAIR and CARE principles into practice.
Collective Outcomes
- Compilation of approaches where data-driven archaeological research and public engagement projects can align practices with FAIR and CARE principles.
October 21, 2023
10:30am - 1:10pm / 1:45pm - 3:30pm Eastern
Online Workshop
Faculty
William Caraher
Sarah Herr
Leigh Anne Lieberman (Facilitator)
Bibliography
Caraher, W. (2019) “Collaborative Digital Publishing in Archaeology: Data, Workflows, and Books in the Age of Logistics.” Critical Archaeology in a Digital Age, ed. K. Garstki. Los Angeles, CA: Cotsen Institute of Archaeology Press.
Participant Outcomes
- Identification of methods (“green”, “gold”, “diamond”) and venues for open access publication related to individual research projects.
- Identification of data set to be integrated into open access publication related to individual research projects.
Collective Outcomes
- Annotated samples of digital publications that integrate research data.
November 18, 2023
10:30am - 1:10pm / 1:45pm - 3:30pm Eastern
Online Workshop
Faculty
Leigh Anne Lieberman
Sarah Whitcher Kansa (Facilitator)
Angela Trentecosta
Bibliography
Lodwick, L. (2019) “Sowing the seeds of future research: data sharing, citation and reuse in Archaeobotany.” Open Quaternary, 5(1).
Participant Outcomes
- Comprehensive working list of the ways in which data sets related to individual research projects can be reused, as well as specific measures that will help promote reuse.
Collective Outcomes
- Principle ways in which archaeological research data sets can be reused together with good practices that facilitate data reuse.
Spring Semester II: Data for Diverse Publics
January - April 2024
January 20, 2024
10:30am - 1:10pm / 1:45pm - 3:30pm Eastern
Online Workshop
Faculty
Neha Gupta
Edward González-Tennant
Leigh Anne Lieberman (Facilitator)
Bibliography
TBD
Participant Outcomes
- Draft of a pathway to collaboration for individual research projects and publication with relevant community stakeholders, especially those with indigenous, BIPOC, low-incoming, diaspora, refugee, and other underserved communities, where appropriate.
Collective Outcomes
- Annotated samples of pathways to collaboration for archaeological research projects and publications with relevant community stakeholders, especially those with indigenous, BIPOC, low-incoming, diaspora, refugee, and other underserved communities.
February 24, 2024
10:30am - 1:10pm / 1:45pm - 3:30pm Eastern
Online Workshop
Faculty
Leigh Anne Lieberman (Facilitator)
Sarah Miller
Paulina F. Przystupa
Bibliography
Przystupa, P. F. (Forthcoming) “Archaeology and Comics: Cons, concerns, and creativity.”
Participant Outcomes
- Outline for potential application that prioritizes engagement with diverse communities around individual research projects.
Collective Outcomes
- Annotated list of potential applications that prioritize engagement with diverse communities around individual research projects.
March 16, 2024
10:30am - 1:10pm / 1:45pm - 3:30pm Eastern
Online Workshop
Faculty
Melissa Cradic
Pınar Durgun
Leigh Anne Lieberman (Facilitator)
Bibliography
Durgun, P. (2021) “Digging Digital Museum Collections Blog Series.” https://alexandriaarchive.org/digging-digital-museum-collections/
Participant Outcomes
- Outline for potential collaborative didactic and/or program with museum and/or archaeological site personnel that prioritizes engagement with diverse communities around individual research projects.
Collective Outcomes
- Annotated list of potential collaborative didactics and/or programs with museums and/or archaeological site personnel that prioritize engagement with diverse communities around individual research projects.
- Compile good practices for museums to make online collections better support multiple forms of public engagement.
April 20, 2024
10:30am - 1:10pm / 1:45pm - 3:30pm Eastern
Online Workshop
Faculty
Jarre Hamilton
Desireé Reneé Martinez
Leigh Anne Lieberman (Facilitator)
Bibliography
Hacıgüzeller, P., J. S. Taylor, and S. Perry, (2021) "On the Emerging Supremacy of Structured Digital Data in Archaeology: A Preliminary Assessment of Information, Knowledge and Wisdom Left Behind." Open Archaeology, 7(1), pp.1709-1730.
Participant Outcomes
- List of the strategies by which individual research projects can prioritize transparency and showcasing diverse perspectives.
Collective Outcomes
- Annotated list of strategies by which archaeological research projects can prioritize transparency and showcasing diverse perspectives.
Summer Workshop II
July 2024
July 22 - 26, 2024
Berkeley, California
Faculty
Leigh Anne Lieberman
Sarah Whitcher Kansa
Eric Kansa
Melissa Cradic
L. Meghan Dennis
Paulina F. Przystupa
Schedule
Monday: Welcome
Tuesday & Wednesday: Socio-Technical Sustainability Roadmap
Thursday & Friday: Proof-of-Concept Community or Classroom Project
Participant Outcomes
- Opportunities to network with each other and institute Core Team.
- Socio-Technical Sustainability Roadmap (STSR) for individual research projects drafted.
- Outline of a short-term, feasible, proof-of-concept for outreach or pedagogical application related to individual research projects drafted.
- Opportunity to present a brief update about progress since the start of the institute.
Collective Outcomes
- Annotated examples that demonstrate how good, long-term project documentation (like the STSR) relates to short-term, feasible, proof-of-concept applications.
Fall Semester II: Data for the Classroom
September - November 2024
September 21, 2024
10:30am - 1:10pm / 1:45pm - 3:30pm Eastern
Online Workshop
Faculty
Beth Compton
Katherine Cook
Leigh Anne Lieberman (Facilitator)
Bibliography
Cook, K. (2018) “Open Data as Public Archaeology: The Monumental Archive Project.” AP: Online Journal of Public Archaeology 3: 177-194. revistas.jasarqueologia.es/index.php/APJournal/article/view/152
Participant Outcomes
- A student-oriented, data-driven exercise that targets some aspect of archaeological data literacy using data from individual research projects.
Collective Outcomes
- Annotated collection of student-oriented, data-driven exercises that target some aspect of archaeological data literacy using data from individual research projects.
October 19, 2024
10:30am - 1:10pm / 1:45pm - 3:30pm Eastern
Online Workshop
Faculty
Tiffany Earley-Spadoni
Leigh Anne Lieberman (Facilitator)
Eric Poehler
Bibliography
Earley-Spadoni, T. (2017) “Spatial History, Deep Mapping and Digital Storytelling: Archaeology's Future Imagined through an Engagement with the Digital Humanities.” Journal of Archaeological Science 84: 95–102. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jas.2017.05.003
Participant Outcomes
- Syllabus that prioritizes student learning around archaeological data literacy using data-driven exercises from individual research projects.
Collective Outcomes
- Annotated collection of syllabuses that prioritize student learning around archaeological data literacy using data-driven exercises from individual research projects.
November 16, 2024
10:30am - 1:10pm / 1:45pm - 3:30pm Eastern
Online Workshop
Faculty
L. Meghan Dennis
Leigh Anne Lieberman (Facilitator)
Jennifer Zovar
Bibliography
Muir, S., and Y. Oliver, (2021) Strategies for Recruiting Students to the Humanities: A Comprehensive Overview. Washington, D.C.: National Humanities Alliance. https://www.nhalliance.org/study_the_humanities
Participant Outcomes
- Understanding of the pedagogical impact of individual research projects.
Collective Outcomes
- Comprehensive working list of the ways in which data-driven exercises that target some aspect of archaeological data literacy fit in larger institutional, departmental, and disciplinary missions.
