Computer Management and Digitalization Unit

The Scientific Collections of the National Museum of Natural Sciences (MNCN in Spanish) constitute an infrastructure of international reference, both for its size and wealth (more than 10 million specimens) as well as for its taxonomic, geographical and temporal coverage accounting for Biodiversity, Palaeodiversity and Geodiversity. Created in 1771 by Carlos III, the MNCN is the second oldest Natural History museum in the world. Its conservation of unique  specimens together with the modern collections of sounds, tissues, and DNA, converts it into the most important Museum of Science and Technology in Spain and one of the most important Natural History museums in Europe.

The Computer Management and Digitization Unit (UGID in Spanish) is a support service for the MNCN collections with respect to information, documentation, digitization and dissemination management systems.

The main aims of UGID include:

  • Development and maintenance of a comprehensive Collections Management System.
  • Providing advice and support in the development, adaptation and monitoring of protocols of good practices in documentation, collections digitization, conservation and dissemination.
  • Collaboration and support in the development and implementation of a platform capable of supporting specialized remote consultation services.
  • Participation in training activities and support in everything related to computer management and collections digitization.
  • Acting as link with international initiatives and infrastructures.

 

In order to guarantee the usefulness and maintenance of value of the Collections, it is necessary to ensure an appropriate management system that allows the Collections to be accessible and to participate in collection networks and museums, as well as in international projects for collaborations with other centers. Working in a complementary and coordinated way with other museums allows research to be carried out on a global scale. Such research includes, for example, environmental transformations covering more than a century, allowing for predictive models for the future, as well as research into biological invasions, emerging diseases, etc.

Collection staff

Scientific advisor

Markus Bastir

Technical manager

Manuel Sánchez Ruiz