Project Title: Museum Big Data Project (MBD)
Acronym: MBD
Coordinator / Supervisor: Professor Georgios Papaioannou & Professor Milena Dobreva
Type of Funding: Research Grant / International Research Funding
Funding Source: Qatar National Research Fund (QNRF) & UCL Qatar
Dates: 2019 – Ongoing (Series established in 2020)
Project Website
Project overview
The Museum Big Data Project was an initiative launched by UCL Qatar (funded by the Qatar National Research Fund) to explore how Big Data can transform the museum sector. Led by Professors Georgios Papaioannou and Milena Dobreva, the project focused on the intersection of cultural heritage, data science, and visitor experience.
Key Objectives:
– Data Analysis: Leveraging large-scale data to uncover patterns in museum collections and operational efficiency.
– Visitor Insights: Developing tools like SENSIOM, a real-time dashboard for sentiment analysis based on visitor feedback and social media.
– Policy Development: Creating frameworks for ethical data management and digital strategy within cultural institutions.
The International Conference Series (MBD): The project established the first global forum dedicated specifically to this niche, fostering collaboration between museologists and data scientists:
1.MBD2019 (Doha, Qatar): The inaugural conference hosted at UCL Qatar, focusing on the foundational challenges of big data in heritage.
2. MBD2020 (Nicosia, Cyprus): Organized in partnership with The Cyprus Institute, this edition addressed digital transformation and remote engagement during the pandemic.
3. MBD2024 (Athens, Greece): Following the 2021 postponement, the third conference was held at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens in collaboration with the Ionian University.
Future Outlook: The series continues to expand, with the next conference, MBD2026, scheduled to take place in Brazil.