A dinosaur fossil from another continent. A pressed herbarium sheet from 1847. What could possibly be ethically complex about that?
Quite a lot, it turns out.
Join our brand-new seminar series “Ethics in Action: Working with Sensitive Data from Scientific Collections” and discover how, by looking more closely at plants, animals, and rocks collected decades or centuries ago, ethical questions multiply fast.
Who collected these objects, and how? Whose land, whose knowledge, whose communities were involved? Do the data derived from these collections reproduce old hierarchies, endanger vulnerable species, or erase Indigenous rights — even today?
From looted artefacts to genetic resources, from colonial histories of acquisition to frameworks like the CARE Principles for Indigenous Data Governance — our panel of expert speakers will explore the historical and ethical dimensions of collection data, share practical tools for responsible work, and help chart a path toward more just and transparent practices.
All sessions are online, in English, and free to attend.
Sessions overview:
Data in Society and Datafication: Who Cares About Data? –Prof. Sabina Leonelli [April 21st, 1:15 pm – 2:40 pm CEST]
How to approach contested natural history holdings and their data? Case studies from Museum für Naturkunde Berlin – Dr. Ina Heumann & Dr. Katja Kaiser [April 29th, 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm CEST]
The making of biodiversity data: collection digitization and its politics in natural history museums – Dr. Roos Hopmann [May 6th, 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm CEST]
International Obligations on Access and Benefit-Sharing (ABS): What Collections and Researchers Need to Know –Melania Muñoz García, Monique Hölting, Dr. Martin Wiemers [May 12th, 10:00 am – 11:30 am CEST]
The Hidden World of Sensitive Species Data –Tania Laity & Cam Slatyer [May 21st, 9:00 am – 11:00 am CEST]
From Vaults to Relationships: Indigenous Data Sovereignty and the Future of Biocollections – Dr. Leke (Leslie) Hutchins [June 4th, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm CEST]
Reconnecting Cultural Heritage: Digital Infrastructure for Provenance, Community Knowledge, and Restitution– Dr. Anne Luther [June 11th, 4:30 pm – 6:30 pm CEST]
A Digital Repertory of Colonial Plunder – Dr. Yann LeGall [June 18th, 11:00 am – 1:00 pm CEST]
Community manager of the WiNoDa Knowledge Lab.
Doctor in plant ecology, passionate about science communication and creative crafts.