Editions

How we see ourselves

The Task Area Editions is an association of 18 institutions that are involved in Text+. It is coordinated by the North Rhine-Westphalian Academy of Sciences, Humanities and the Arts.

We are developing an infrastructure of services for a community of researchers, scholars and students in whose research field and practice scholarly editions play an essential role.

The Task Area Editions also views itself as an advocate for this community in the development of the National Research Data Infrastructure (NFDI), which is to become a hub of networked services based on the FAIR principles. We act as a multiplier and as an open platform that relies on the participation of all actors in the field of scientific editions. We therefore cordially invite you to help shape the following services that will be created as part of our work programme.

Open Edition Directory as part of Text+ Registry

Task Area Editions is developing an open directory for printed, hybrid and digital editions and edition projects as well as their tools - based on standardised descriptions and including tutorials. The focus is on interoperability with existing directories and catalogues as well as the provision of interfaces for linking with relevant information systems and infrastructures.

The directory is based on various sources:

• Databases of funding bodies, library indexing systems, existing catalogues, information from Specialist Information Services (=Fachinformationsdienste).
• From Q4/2024, users will also have the option of registering editions via a form and adding or correcting existing catalogue entries.
• Task Area Editions organises “edit-a-thons” for this purpose, during which editions can be registered with live support.

The Open Edition Directory is part of the overarching Text+ Registry, which connects the resources of all partners of Text+. The Text+ Registry is still under construction, but can already be used (Link).

Consulting

Task Area Editions establishes the Text+ Consulting as coordinated, personalised and confidential consultancy service.

We provide advice on all topics relating to editions - from consultation on applications to general questions on research data management (RDM), from the discussion of research ideas and processes to specialised editorial questions throughout the entire data life cycle. And if necessary, we liaise with partners from NFDI4Culture, NFDI4Objects and NFDI4Memory.

Community Activities

Task Area Editions organises workshops, informative and networking events and training courses. We also develop curricular recommendations, tutorials and handouts on standards such as the FAIR principles as well as on all phases of editing and all data layers of an edition.

Participating institutions