About Data Sprint

The Royal Danish Library's data sprint is an intensive course in computer-based studies of digitised cultural heritage material. It lasts 10 hours, which are spread over two days.

During the 10 hours, you will learn about computer-based research methods that can be used for large, medium and small data sets together with other participants.

The teachers are the library's specialists who have many years of experience with data processing and computer-based research methods.

During the entire data sprint, several instructors are present to help you have a good learning experience and reach the goal with a presentation of a small study consisting of four to five different visualisations.

The target group is students and employees at Danish universities and it costs nothing to participate. It is not a prerequisite that you have prior knowledge of computer-based studies. The prerequisite is that you have an interest in learning how to analyse large collections of digitised cultural heritage using software.

The subject

The subject of the data sprint is the Enlightenment. The Age of Enlightenment is probably best known for the love triangle drama between the Enlightenment campaigner Johann Friedrich Struensee, the insane King Christian VII and the young, naive Queen Caroline Mathilde, because the drama is delightfully reproduced in films and comics.

But despite its positive name, the Enlightenment is also known for despotism, tropical colonies, the slave trade, and the maintenance of society's ranking system through violent, crippling punishment, exclusion and discrimination.

The latter appears, for example, in Francisco de Miranda's description of Copenhagen's prisons from 1788, as well as from PA Heiberg's party song from 1790, "Orders are hung on idiots "

We hope that the data sprint, in addition to giving an insight into how you can conduct computer-based studies, will also give you an insight into the trends, currents and living conditions of the Enlightenment.

Data and tasks

We have prepared data originating from the Enlightenment. Data consists of digitised versions of historical sources that can provide insight into the demography and culture of the Age of Enlightenment.

Read more on the "Data" page. We have also prepared tasks that you can solve during the data sprint. Read more on the "Tasks" page.

Organisers

The Royal Danish Library's data sprint is organised by employees from Aarhus University Library and Copenhagen University Library. The employees are present throughout the course to guide you and answer questions.