Our project aimed to solve the inaccessibility of historical dissertation data at Leiden University. An extensive collection of valuable academic data exists, but historians and the public face challenges in exploring trends such as changes in research focus, faculty productivity, or the demographics of PhD candidates over time. We developed a web-based, chat-driven data visualisation platform that allows users to explore dissertation data through natural language queries or structured filters. Users can input questions like "Show me the number of dissertations per faculty since 1950" and receive dynamic, interactive visualisations. The platform interprets user queries, retrieves relevant data from Leiden University's repository, and generates charts that can be customised and exported.
Our solution significantly improves access to and understanding of historical academic data. It empowers users to uncover trends and insights without needing technical expertise. For the Leiden University Institute for History, this tool enhances public engagement, supports academic research, and modernises the way the university's archival data can be analysed and presented.
Our client was the Leiden University Institute for History, a research centre associated with Leiden University. Communication with the client was clear and constructive. Two-weekly meetings ensured that our project goals remained aligned with the client's expectations, and feedback was integrated throughout development to improve the platform's functionality and usability.
Our team of six included a Scrum Master, Product Owner, frontend developers, and backend developers. Work was divided into frontend (UI, visualisations) and backend (data processing, APIs). Collaboration was managed through regular sprints and a shared GitHub board. Key challenges included aligning frontend and backend integration and building the system from scratch. We're most proud of how we worked closely with our client to clarify his needs and shape a product that truly met his goals.