Valentina Montalto

Main contents and objectives

This 10-hour module is designed to equip future cultural managers and policy-makers with the foundational tools and understanding to engage effectively with data analysts and navigate the growing field of cultural data. Recognizing the increasing role of evidence-based decision-making in cultural policy, the course introduces students to key concepts, classifications, methods, and data sources used to measure culture — a complex and multidimensional domain.

Rather than training students to become data scientists, this course empowers them to ask the right questions, critically interpret statistical information, and use data to support or challenge cultural policy choices. Emphasis is placed on the practical use of data analytics for policy formulation, including the preparation, analysis, and visualization of data. Students will explore the limitations and potential of data in cultural measurement, helping them to manage uncertainty and make informed decisions in their future careers.

Topics include:

• Introduction: Why Data Matters in Cultural Policy

• Measuring Culture: Is That Even Possible?

• Data for Policy-Making: Purposes and Pitfalls

• Finding Reliable Data Sources

• Preparing, Analyzing, and Visualizing Cultural Data

By the end of the course, students will be better prepared to interpret cultural data, understand its relevance for policy, and engage thoughtfully in data-informed policy discussions in the cultural and creative sectors.