Museum für Naturkunde Berlin: Research and Innovation

Overview

Through the ‘Data for Nature’ research group, the Centre for Humanities of Nature and conservation research, the Research and Innovation Department – established in 2026 – brings together object-based and collection-related research within the ‘Collection Future’ science programme. The aim is to generate methodological foundations and innovative impetus for the transformation of the collection into a modern, open research infrastructure. The focus of this predominantly application-oriented basic research lies on the preservation, cataloguing and usability of the collection, the critical examination of acquisition contexts and museum practices, as well as the linking, enrichment and contextualisation of data alongside the further development of data standards.

International networking, transdisciplinary collaborations and the development of innovative methods characterise the department’s research programme, which brings together a broad interdisciplinary spectrum of expertise from scholars in information science, materials science, biology, and the cultural and social sciences. The research focuses on current challenges and pioneering questions regarding the preservation, exploration and public access to a global collection within a natural history research museum.

Management

Anita Hermannstädter
Head of Department
Email: A.Hermannstaedter@mfn.berlin

Dr Sabine von Mering
Deputy Head of Department
Email: Sabine.vonMering@mfn.berlin

Dr Christiane Quaisser
Deputy Head of Department
Email: Christiane.Quaisser@mfn.berlin

Research

Key areas

The Data for Nature group investigates the use of artificial intelligence – including machine learning – and Linked Open Data to make collection and research data accessible, as well as to develop sustainable data practices and infrastructures.
The Centre for Humanities of Nature explores the history of the museum and its collection and research practices, with a focus on colonial contexts and other problematic provenances.
Conservation research investigates biocide contamination and ageing phenomena within the collection. The aim is to ensure the long-term preservation of the objects and to optimise storage and conservation measures.