This document discusses tackling data-driven decision making in cultural organizations. It describes a project called Arts Data Impact that conducted an ethnographic study, placed a data scientist in residence at different organizations, and did rapid prototyping of data tools. The "reverential gap" refers to the space between domains of expertise like artistic/curatorial knowledge and technological/business expertise. The data scientist in residence identifies roles, strengths, and gaps to provide insight where needed. Their work includes data wrangling and creating tools to uncover stories specific to organizational objectives. The document emphasizes that technology and organizational culture must be considered together to foster data-driven decision making and take users on a data journey.
2. Welcome
• Cimeon Ellerton, Head of Programmes
• Alison Whitaker, Data Scientist for the Arts
• Also thanks to:
• Eva Kabzinska, Data Scientist for the Arts
• Professor Paul Moore, Head of School of
Creative Arts and Technologies
• Anthony Lilley, CEO Magic Lantern
3. Background: Arts Data Impact project
1. Ethnographic Study - research to understand
the human aspects of decision-making
2. Data Scientist in Residence - an intervention
to engage staff beyond the usual suspects
3. Rapid Prototyping – turning questions into
data tools with practical applications
5. What is a Data Scientist in Residence?
• Embedded in very different organisations
• Identifying roles, strengths and gaps – how
can the strengths be used to provide insight
where there are gaps?
• Lots of data wrangling
• Creating the tools
6. Where did we start?
• Discussions: from audience perspectives relating
to how they behave online to their ongoing
response to different types of repertoire
• What types of stories do we want to uncover?
• Must be specific to organisational objectives
7. Data Articulation: Tools
• Development and Analysis
• Creating interactive software
• Developing familiarity with the possibilities
of technology and importantly, thinking
about data
Babbage Difference Engine No.2
8. Towards a data-driven decision making culture?
• Technology and Organisational Culture need
to be considered together:
• User Experience & common language
• What might others in the organisation want to
find out?
• What is interesting?
• What takes them to the next level of what
they are striving to achieve?
• What is practical?
• Take users on the development (and data)
journey
9. Bridging the Gap
1. Be curious and committed
2. Organisational structures matter
3. Foster the people
4. Bring the data alive
5. Take action in knowledge
10. Final thought
‘We need to debunk the myth that data is
uncreative, impersonal, or a threat to artistic
decision making. Data is only useful where it
enhances existing ideas or current
understanding.’
Professor Paul Moore, ADI Lead Researcher
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