On 17–19 April 2026, the HUM hackathon will take place at the Estonian Literary Museum — a three-day interdisciplinary event that brings together students, technology enthusiasts, memory institutions, and research institutions to explore new ways of using cultural heritage and research data.
The hackathon is organised by the HUM data lab.The lab aims to advance data-intensive research practices in the humanities.
At the heart of the hackathon are cultural data and their creative and research-oriented use. Participants will work in teams and develop ideas and prototypes based on datasets made available for the hackathon. These include diverse datasets from the collections of Estonian memory and research institutions — the Estonian Literary Museum, the National Archives of Estonia, the National Library of Estonia, the Estonian National Museum, and Tallinn University. Through these materials, cultural heritage can be explored in many different forms, from glass fragments to correspondences.
The aim of the hackathon is to strengthen collaboration between the humanities and technology fields and to develop skills in the use of open cultural data. The event will take place in English, and around half of the participants come from an international background, creating a strong basis for international and interdisciplinary collaboration.
The role of digital humanities and data-driven approaches in cultural and research work is growing, opening up new ways of looking at Estonia’s rich cultural heritage. The hackathon offers an opportunity to learn, experiment, gain experience in collaboration, and develop practical skills in working with cultural data.