data.lincoln.ac.uk

What is this project about?

data.lincoln.ac.uk is a website where we make university data accessible to the public. Personal data, such as a student timetables, is also accessible through secure APIs. data.lincoln.ac.uk is where we document the data we make available and how to get it.

Why did we undertake the project?

Making data available in this way makes our own work easier, allowing us to more easily build services for the university. It also allows other developers, students and staff, to obtain data programatically and build their own tools if they want to. data.lincoln.ac.uk is part of a sector-wide initiative to make university data more open and accessible and is encouraged by funding agencies, such as JISC.  The same is happening elsewhere in the public sector, e.g. http://data.gov.uk and http://data.gov

What did the project achieve?

The project is on-going but we are proud to be one of the first universities in the UK to make data available in this way and we’re pleased to be able to contribute to the web of data. We are gradually opening our data sets via simple, RESTful APIs. Included are APIs for events, calendars, locations, courses, bibliographic, people, energy and URL shortening. We have also documented our authentication platform so as to provide a secure platform for all.

When did the project take place?

Work started as a result of the JISC-funded Total Recal project in 2010 and continues today.

What did the project cost?

The project has received no specific funding but has been an outcome of other funded projects such as Total Recal and Jerome.

Where can I find more information?

Why, on data.lincoln.ac.uk of course