The Big Problem with Big Data: automating social media harvesting
Channel: Recording Archaeology
Date: 08/09/2019

In recent years the New Forest National Park, U.K, has facilitated a number of volunteer lead heritage recording programs. Overseen by project officers, these have not only helped to record and protect archaeological assets but also engage local residents with the heritage of this unique protected landscape. Whilst proven to be successful in their aims, these approaches have regularly missed out on the engagement of younger audiences. Much like the rest of the heritage sector, 12-24 year olds have rarely engaged with this work, yet its importance remains, not least because they will inherit these national assets in years to come. This research has looked to tackle this issue through the utilisation of Big Data, including social media and anonymised mobile data, to help officers understand how this hard to reach audience sees and uses this protected landscape and its heritage. By their very nature, these data are difficult and time consuming to gather and interpret, making automation essential. This paper will look to share the development of Python scripts that have harvested social media data, including Instagram and Twitter, into an analytical database, as well as the integration of deep learning when looking to rapidly identify what is contained within thousands of photographic records.

Full title: The Big Problem with Big Data: automating social media harvesting and interpretation for cultural heritage audience insight

 (Lawrence Shaw)