What does data mean for me?

Chris Michaels

Head of Digital & Publishing

The British Museum

A confession…

Growing up data was not my friend. Books were.

Then I made some websites…

… and I started to see the opportunity.

Then I went back to books…

… and I forgot all about it. Data didn't matter, only sales.

Then I made apps.

… and I got it. It wasn't about the content.

It was about the improvements data made possible.

… And then the publishers got it.

… they were desperate to know what I knew.

… And now the cultural sector needs to get it

Because we have so much we just don't know.

.

… My dream: The Cultural Sector 2020

… A Datavore getting ready to emerge?

The conditions for change are clear…

Political:Government focus on and

investment in data

Economic:Need to improve efficiency and unlock hidden value

streams

Technological:Incredible platforms, and

elastic pricing

Social:Growing cultural

expectation of open information and 'data-

driven' news

Legal:Changing face of privacy

Environmental:Rise of smart cities and

internet-driven efficiencies

So why does it matter for the British Museum?

It's the key pillar of our Digital mission.

We're using mobile, social and big data…

… to fulfill our founding mission.

So today opens a dialogue…

… and shows what's possible

But if it's just about today

… it doesn't matter. Make it matter.

So that's your mission:

Make data matter.

It's up to all of us to change the sector.