From Archive to Insight: Activating Cultural Data
Unlock the potential of cultural and research data
by turning archives and collections into imaginative, data-driven prototypes
in one intensive weekend.
Key facts:
📅 April 17–19
đź“Ť Tartu, Estonia
đź‘Ą Interdisciplinary teams
🧠Beginner friendly
What is this hackathon about?
The HUM data lab hackathon invites participants to explore humanities datasets through hands-on experimentation. The goal is to transform cultural research data in meaningful ways such as creating working prototypes that reveal new perspectives, uses, or interpretations. Rather than aiming for polished products, the focus is on learning, discovery, and demonstrating what becomes possible when data is actively explored.
Participants will gain hands-on experience of working with real humanities datasets, prototype-building skills, and developing collaborative workflow documentation that can support future research or portfolio work.
The hackathon is organized by the Hum Data Lab, part of Estonia’s national research and cultural data infrastructure, with a mission to advance data-intensive research practices in the humanities.
Why participate?
Participants will:
- work with unique humanities datasets
- learn collaborative prototyping methods
- gain experience documenting reproducible workflows
- meet researchers, developers, and cultural heritage professionals
- create a portfolio-worthy prototype in one weekend
How the weekend works:
1. Kickoff — datasets introduced, teams formed
2. Explore — understand the material with mentor help
3. Build — create a prototype
4. Document — describe your workflow (lightweight)
5. Showcase — present and get feedback
Your project could be, for example:
An interactive experience or game
A data visualization or dashboard
A small research or analytical prototype
A digital tool that makes working with data easier
A creative or interpretive work
A hybrid or experimental format that combines several approaches
These are examples, not limits.
Datasets
This hackathon gives you access to an exceptional range of cultural datasets — from centuries-old runo songs and literary correspondences to museum visitor behavior, translation flows, architectural plans, and machine-readable music. Whether you want to build networks from 300,000 books, trace how oral poetry spread across borders, reconstruct shattered glass fragments with computer vision, or model how people move through exhibition spaces, the data is ready. See the links below for further information.
Come and bring the data from archives to active use!
Logistics
The HUM hackathon takes place on April 17-19 at the Estonian Literary Museum (Vanemuise 42, 51003 Tartu).
The working language of the hackathon is English. The event is free.
Schedule overview
Friday — Kickoff & team formation
17:00 start → presentations → dinner → build session
22:30 close
Saturday — Full build day
09:00 open → work + mentor support → flexible meals → checkpoint → evening sprint
24:00 close
Sunday — Final push & showcase
09:00 open → polish projects → describe workflows → presentations → awards + celebration
17:00 finish
The meals will be provided.
Team structure
Participants may join an existing team or form one either on Discord or at the start of the event. Interdisciplinary collaboration is encouraged — teams benefit from combining technical, analytical, and creative perspectives.
Workspace and tools: bring your laptop!
Participants are expected to work with their own laptops and preferred software tools unless otherwise specified. Access to datasets, documentation, and communication channels will be provided in advance. Mentors and organisers will be available throughout the event to support both technical and conceptual questions.
Registration
Registration period
Registration opens on February 26 and closes on March 26. Places are limited, so early registration is encouraged.
Participant capacity
The hackathon can host up to 30 participants. If interest exceeds capacity, selections will aim to support balanced and interdisciplinary participation.
Team diversity
We encourage applications from people with different backgrounds and skill sets — humanities, data analysis, design, development, and beyond. Diverse teams tend to produce more creative and thoughtful outcomes, so participant selection will consider how to support a good mix of perspectives.
How to register
Please register using this form. You may indicate whether you already have teammates or would like help forming a team at the start of the event.
Communication
All participant communication — announcements, coordination, and mentor access — will take place on Discord. Registered participants will receive important updates on email as well.
Organizing team
The hackathon takes place thanks to
