1) BT has partnered with AHRC to establish research networks around digital heritage. This includes 5 initial projects with universities and cultural organizations. 2) The partnerships allow BT to gain insights from academics and practitioners in digital heritage, identify new applications for its technologies, and make connections to new potential partners in universities. 3) Several benefits have emerged from the networks for both BT and other partners, including new research opportunities, engagement with emerging topics at AHRC, and insights that could inform future broadband applications and cultural projects.

1. AHRC and BT: A
Creative Collaboration
Jo Pollock and John Seton
Museums on the Web
Friday 26th November, 2010

2. A D A S T R A L PA R K

3. Partnership is essential for BT
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Research & innovation pervasive across all our activities
Blown Fibre
Droptube
(launched)
Optical
Consolidation
Rack
(launched)
New tray
doubles
capacity of the
splitter node
(Trial)
- Home Hub 3.0 Roadmap
(delivered)
- Hybrid Home Networking
recommendation
(delivered)
- BT Fon (implemented)
Blown Fibre ‘One Man’
Installation kit:
- Blowing Head (launched)
-Compressor
(BC submitted)
-Intelligent Airstone
(on trial)
Manifold
avoids need
to splice at
top of pole
(Launched)
Content
recommendation
for BT Vision
(on trial)
Core
network Exchange
Fibre
Copper Underground
Field Force
management
(implemented)
4

5. © British Telecommunications plc
Research & innovation pervasive across all our activities
Blown Fibre
Droptube
(launched)
Optical
Consolidation
Rack
(launched)
New tray
doubles
capacity of the
splitter node
(Trial)
- Home Hub 3.0 Roadmap
(delivered)
- Hybrid Home Networking
recommendation
(delivered)
- BT Fon (implemented)
Blown Fibre ‘One Man’
Installation kit:
- Blowing Head (launched)
-Compressor
(BC submitted)
-Intelligent Airstone
(on trial)
Manifold
avoids need
to splice at
top of pole
(Launched)
Content
recommendation
for BT Vision
(on trial)
Core
network Exchange
Fibre
Copper Underground
Field Force
management
(implemented)
5
Instructions : Watch the video
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Record your video story.
The Palm House
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Instructions : Watch the video
and then create your own story.
Record your video story.
The Palm House
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Instructions : Watch the video
and then create your own story.
Record your video story.
The Palm House
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6. AHRC and BT - background
BT has a long standing university programme
Established links to EPSRC and ESRC communities – fixed and mobile
networks, software, services etc. but no real links into AHRC’s
community
Meeting between CEO of AHRC and BT’s Director or Research - explore a
“strategic relationship” between BT and AHRC
Past EU collaborative work on virtual/ augmented reality for museums,
digital heritage etc. Growing interest in user-generated content.
Need to look more beyond the technology – need to understand the sector
far better and gain insight into the personal, social and cultural contexts
of different stakeholders.
Workshop at BT – AHRC and 35 academics and practitioners – “Open
Space” conversations, leading to definition of a new research area of
broad interest – Digital Heritage

7. Developing the Model
What do we want to achieve? What do we need to
achieve it? Who do we want to involve? What are our
limitations?
• Encourage new ways of working
• Flexible knowledge exchange opportunities
• Industry partners and cultural organisations
• Money and time
Research Networking!

8. The Projects
5 Digital Heritage Research
Networking Projects with varied
interests, approaches and outcomes.
1 community of researchers.
• Inclusive - exciting range of partners
• Collaborative - our Network of
Networks
• Attractive - interest leveraged due to
BT support
• Innovative – new applications for
existing technologies
• Ongoing – new projects under
development

9. Hidden Histories
UCL, Science Museum, BT and Illumina Digital
• The varied perspectives of those involved with the
network have been both the major positive and the
biggest challenge of the project.
• BT contributed archive material, knowledge,
contacts and the time of BT Archives’ volunteers.
• Illumina Digital used the ideas and technologies
developed through this project to release other
products
• The team are keen to develop Hidden Histories
further and are investigating future funding
opportunities
• Working towards a tangible outcome academically
rewarding
Copyright of Hidden Histories

10. Benefits to BT of research
networking with AHRC community
• Ideas and proposals BT can be part of stemming from research
networks
• Opportunities beyond the 5 networks
– New links to UC Falmouth leading to new research
opportunities on superfast broadband
– New links to Glamorgan leading to involvement in Welsh
univeristies network on Digital Heritage
– Project on digital storytelling with Glamorgan as part of
Digital Wales Research Hub
– Technology trial with Science Museum and Goldsmiths–
Films of Fact – triggered by demo at original AHRC
workshop – exploration of using Shape-Shifted TV tools for
interactive film-based installations in a museum setting

11. Wider benefits of research networking
with the AHRC community
• Prospect of exciting and compelling applications for next
generation broadband – applications to foster sense of place
and community
• Stronger links with existing HEI partners, and new links with new
partners
• Involvement in new networks
• International dimension – US universities
• New research council partnership – AHRC very helpful and easy
to work with!
• Early sight of emerging AHRC thinking and direction
• Don’t expect all the benefits to accrue at the end of the research
networks – we should look again in 3 years

12. • High priority for the AHRC
• Cultures and Heritage Team
• Independent Research Organisations
• Science and Heritage Programme
• Emerging themes
– Digital Transformations in the Arts and Humanities
– Care for the Future
– Translating Cultures
– Science in Culture
• Delivered through current funding mechanisms
– Research Grants
– Research Networking
– Research Fellowships
– Collaborative Doctoral Awards
• Connected Communities Programme
The Future for AHRC and Digital Heritage