CDCS Festivals Data Sandpit

The Centre for Data, Culture and Society aims to build capacity for data-led research and support digital research projects. The Edinburgh Futures Institute builds collaborative partnerships across the city and region.

We are looking for researchers who want to explore innovative early-stage digital research projects focused on Edinburgh festivals data with the support of our experienced team of research technologists and engagement from festivals staff. Please see below for a list of our partners and the data available.

Our sandpit is a place for building things up and knocking things down, for learning and for fun. We want to support our community to experiment with digital methods and tools, and to develop ideas into realistic projects. After an initial ideation event, we will support promising projects with planning, technical design and prototyping. You might have an idea for a completely new research project or want to explore this data as part of an ongoing programme of work. It might be something you think would be quick and easy, or the beginning of a grand plan:  you don’t need to have everything fully worked out, just an initial idea which we can help you develop!

Call for participation now open!

Extended Deadline: 17th November

Why take part? Our sandpit will offer the opportunity to explore the data that the festivals collect, meet festivals staff and discuss collaboration opportunities, engage and network with other researchers with shared interests, meet and discuss ideas with technical experts. If your project is selected, you will have the opportunity to take it forward with support from CDCS and EFI.

Promising sandpit projects will have the opportunity to access funding via EFI and technical support via CDCS.

Apply now

What Data is available?

Ticketing and transactions data (2019-2024)
Memberships and concessions data
Festivals API for event listings for the last 10 years
Supplementary tourism data (accommodation, transport, search)

timeline

October 29th 2024: Call for Applications Open

~~Nov 14th~~ Nov 17th 2024: Call closes  at 5pm

Nov 26th: Kick Off Event, 10.00 - 12.30, followed by networking lunch

We’ll give feedback on your idea, and discuss your requirements in more depth. This is a chance to get the insights of festival staff, experienced researchers and technologists. The most feasible project ideas will be identified through this event.

Dec - Jan: Planning and prototyping

Promising projects will be supported through a ‘prototyping’ exercise where we'll map out the basic structure and key requirements together. You’ll get to test your concept, get feedback from the team on the work involved—what it entails and where the challenges lay—and have a chance to consider next steps for the project

Jan onwards: Project delivery

Our partners

The Fringe Society

The Fringe Society was founded by artists to nurture and uphold the Fringe's values of inclusivity, experimentation and imagination. One of it's core objectives is to assists audiences to navigate what's on offer though a centraliesd box office, ticketing and information sharing services.

Edinburgh International Festival

The Edinburgh International Festival (EIF) is a three-week annual arts festival that celebrates music, theater, opera, and dance. It hosts some of the world's finest artists every year, and offers year-round pathways for people of all ages and backgrounds to engage with live performance.

Edinburgh International Book Festival

EIBF is a two-week festival that takes place annually and features over 500 events focused on literature, ideas and the written word.

Festivals Edinburgh

Festivals Edinburgh is a strategic umbrella organisation focused on maintaining and developing the value of the Festivals’ and the Festival City’s leading position locally and globally, via major collaborative projects and strategic initiatives.

CDCS Digital Research Funding

The Centre for Data, Culture & Society has a small pot of funding to support digital research within CAHSS. This fund is for one-off purchases and discrete costs such as data-sets, equipment, software licences or a short period of research assistance.

EFI's work with Festivals

EFI is helping the tourism and festivals sector to find ways to: collaborate locally and globally; share and optimise data and new technologies to innovate and enhance business models, services, and experiences; and achieve more sustainable choices and better outcomes for organisations, tourist customers, communities, and places.

EFI Research

EFI has a vibrant research community and offers a wide range of support to collaborative, data-driven and interdisciplinary research projects.