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From Spreadsheets to Research Infrastructure

Many humanities projects collect data in spreadsheets with 30, 40, or more columns. As data grows, this format reaches its limits: Which authors work across multiple platforms? How are themes distributed geographically? How have networks evolved between 2015 and 2020?

Such questions are difficult to answer in tabular form. Relational structures remain invisible. Information is stored redundantly. Changes must be applied in multiple places.

In the AFROEUROPECYBERSPACE project, we have tested a different approach: A structured SQLite database as foundation, with SQLPage generating a web interface automatically. This workshop demonstrates how this approach works and what possibilities it opens for research.

Workshop: “From Spreadsheets to Research Infrastructure”
25.11.2025, 9:00-13:00, GW 2 A3.570
Online participation possible | Language: English | Cookies and coffee provided

The workshop follows Edward Tufte’s method: Instead of presentation slides, there are four compact texts (six pages each) with high information density. We read these together and discuss them afterwards. The second half is hands-on, we work with the actual AFROEUROPECYBERSPACE database, which documents Afrodiasporic digital platforms in Southern Europe.

Content:

  • How relational database structures represent cultural networks
  • Why controlled vocabularies are the foundation for systematic analysis
  • How to query and edit databases using graphical tools (no programming knowledge required)
  • How SQLPage generates web applications from a database

The workshop is open to everyone, regardless of technical background. Content is adapted to the knowledge level of the working group. The goal is to convey skills useful for research: structured data management, reproducible methodology, and the technical basis for web-based research platforms.

Structured research data also means citable infrastructure and transparent methodology. Both increasingly relevant for publications and grant applications.

Registration until 20.11.2025 at liam@contra-bit.com

Funded by DSC Seed Grant to strengthen interdisciplinary Data Science competencies at Universität Bremen.

Liam Hurwitz & Prof. Dr. Julia Borst