Our vision is to apply digitisation, data and technology to enable research and inform policy on the natural world from local to global scales.
Our ambition is to accelerate and support the digital transformation of natural science collections, applying technology to construct a knowledge network that provides solutions to research and societal challenges.
DDI connects colleagues from right through the end-to-end lifecycle of NHM data to accelerate the process of making museum collections data publicly open and accessible. We continually measure the downstream impact of our work via citations in published studies. DDI advocates for open data by default and champions robust data standards. We are deeply collaborative, interdisciplinary by nature, and Agile.
We support both curators and researchers at the museum: connecting people, collections, specimens and their data. We maintain an active presence in a number of strategic groups within the museum, including Science Executive and the Collections committee.
We practice user-centred design and engage with our stakeholders to continuously improve the products and services we provide.
DIG (Diversity & Inclusion Group) was formed in 2023 to bring together volunteers from across DDI to actively ensure that our department is a welcoming and inclusive place to work.
DIG meets on a regular basis to discuss ideas, raise any concerns and coordinate activities. DIG actively engages with the wider department through workshops and anonymized surveys and is accountable to DDI Leadership.
The DDI Executive Team is accountable to Science Executive board. In addition to DDI Exec, the DDI Leadership team directs strategy for the key groups within DDI - Digitisation, Collections data management, Data platforms & engineering and AI & Innovation.
DDI Exec convene on a weekly basis and Leadership meet fortnightly, with All-hands meetings taking place monthly.