Workshop: Basic course: Controlled vocabularies

Controlled vocabularies are essential tools for documenting, cataloging, and linking cultural heritage data. In this workshop, we will cover the basics and practical applications without requiring any prior knowledge.

The course is aimed at professionals from museums, archives, universities, research institutions, and related organizations. We will explain what controlled vocabularies are, the different types available (from glossaries to ontologies), and how they can be applied in daily work. In interactive sessions, we will examine established examples such as the Gemeinsame Normdatei (GND), Geonames, and the Getty Institute’s Art & Architecture Thesaurus (AAT), and discuss the differences, advantages, potential applications, and limitations of these systems. We will also place a special focus on practical application: How can existing vocabularies be utilized? How can they be integrated into your own systems? The workshop offers an open, accessible setting for questions and interdisciplinary exchange.

When: September 7, 2026, 1:00–3:00 p.m.
Duration: approx. 2 hours
Chairs: Kristina Fischer (LEIZA), Anja Gerber (KSW) Zoom: The Zoom link will be sent once you have registered.
Contact: kristina.fischer@leiza.de