We support data-led & applied digital research across the arts, humanities & social sciences
The Centre for Data, Culture & Society provides our community with space for methodological experimentation, innovation and skills development, and gives tailored advice and support to research groups and projects.
We believe in the value of critical and creative exchange between technology and the arts, humanities and social sciences. We empower researchers in these disciplines to explore and engage with data and digital research methods.
Digital Research Support
We support research projects at all stages and across the disciplines of the arts, humanities and social sciences. We provide advice and guidance, help to develop early prototypes, assist with technical troubleshooting, and help to showcase successful projects.
Find out how we can help you
Training & Skills Development
Our extensive training programme is designed to help our community develop new skills and enable them to conduct their research more effectively. Courses range from introductory sessions on coding to deep dives into the affordances of particular tools and libraries. We also gather, develop and share resources, offering guidance on skills development though our Training Pathways, and work in partnership with other providers to support related training initiatives.
Find out more
Resources & Data
CDCS creates and hosts digital research tools and training resources, developing research infrastructure to support applied digital methods as well as sharing information and signposting other services. We also host large datasets for research and can provide guidance on finding appropriate for your research, facilitate work with our text and data mining resources, and advise on how to share the data that you have produced with other researchers.
Go to our resources page
Get involved
There are lots of ways to get involved with the Centre for Data, Culture & Society, from working with us to deliver projects, to joining our training courses or getting involved in our methodological communities of practice. Or just come along to our events and have an informal chat!
Subscribe to our mailing list
Find out about upcoming events
Important Announcement
The Centre for Data Culture and Society was established in 2019 to support data-driven research within the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences. Over the last seven years, we've helped hundreds of researchers to explore and adopt computational research methods across a wide range of disciplines.
To build on this success and to ensure the sustainability of our activities and work going forward, CDCS is now being fully integrated into Edinburgh Futures Institute (EFI). This website will be decommissioned in Autumn 2026.
Go to our Transition FAQs
Support
Training & Skills
We offer innovative skills development opportunities, driven by research questions and using real world data. We also partner with other skills-focused organisations to collaborate on joint projects.
Project Development
We can provide an informal sounding board for ideas in early stages, offering guidance on possible next steps and helping to facilitate pilot projects. Within our team we have experience and expertise across many disciplines and research methods.
Funded Projects
CDCS runs periodic funding calls for proposals, usually for small development projects and equipment. Find out about some of the projects we have supported.