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- Tasks: Transcribe herbarium specimen labels from home to help make plant data accessible online.
- Company: Kew Gardens, a leading botanical institution with a global impact.
- Benefits: Flexible hours, no prior experience needed, and tutorials provided.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in science while working on fascinating plant specimens.
- Qualifications: No experience required; just a passion for plants and attention to detail.
- Other info: Join a community of volunteers and contribute to a global digital resource.
The predicted salary is between 10 - 16 £ per hour.
By transcribing the information you see on specimen labels, help Kew, from the comfort of your own home, to make our specimens available online to the whole world. In doing so, you will be helping us and others answer scientific questions about a variety of charismatic plant genera, e.g. where have they been found and how long ago? How much variation is there within species, depending on where it grows? Are there any gaps in our collections?
The herbarium and fungarium at Kew together hold more than 8 million pressed plant and fungal specimens, which are thought to represent over 90% of all known plant genera, that is to say 70% of known plant species, and around 60% of known fungal species from all around the world. These collections comprise the largest geographic range and greatest proportion of historic material of any other herbarium or fungarium worldwide.
Every unique specimen is composed of a pressed plant (although some are preserved in spirit to maintain their 3-dimensional characters) or a dried fungus, and some field-collecting information on a label - usually detailing who collected the specimen, as well as where and when it was collected. Also present on labels will be the Latin name(s) to which the specimen has been identified, known as identifications or determinations.
One of our priorities is to make our collections accessible to scientists, historians, artists and students, as well as anyone else who wishes to consult them from all around the world, by making them digitally available. This involves imaging the specimens and displaying them online with their accompanying label information. It is a relatively fast process to image specimens in a herbarium or fungarium and to put them online. However, to find the specimen images one is interested in, e.g. searching by country, collector or species names, images must be accompanied by the information from their specimen labels. Transcribing this information (which is often hand written) to make it searchable is the most time-consuming step in making our collections available online.
You can help Kew from the comfort of your own home at any time of the day. Give it a try and see how much information you can capture. By doing so you will help to build Kew’s digital online catalogue of plant and fungal specimens into an invaluable resource available internationally for the world to use! You do not have to have any prior experience, tutorials will be provided and do not worry about making mistakes - the records will be validated.
Online Volunteers to transcribe Herbarium Specimens in Richmond employer: ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS KEW
Contact Detail:
ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS KEW Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Online Volunteers to transcribe Herbarium Specimens in Richmond
✨Tip Number 1
Get familiar with the DigiVol portal before diving in. Spend some time exploring the interface and tutorials so you feel confident when you start transcribing. The more comfortable you are, the smoother your experience will be!
✨Tip Number 2
Set a regular schedule for your transcription sessions. Consistency is key! Whether it’s an hour a day or a few times a week, having a routine will help you stay engaged and make steady progress.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t hesitate to reach out if you have questions. The Kew team is there to help, so shoot them an email if you’re unsure about something. It’s better to ask than to guess and potentially make mistakes!
✨Tip Number 4
Share your progress with friends or on social media! Not only does it keep you motivated, but it also raises awareness about the importance of this project. Plus, you might inspire others to join in and help out!
We think you need these skills to ace Online Volunteers to transcribe Herbarium Specimens in Richmond
Some tips for your application 🫡
Get to Know the Role: Before you dive into your application, take a moment to really understand what transcribing herbarium specimens involves. Familiarise yourself with the types of information you'll be working with and how it contributes to Kew's mission. This will help you tailor your application to show us you're genuinely interested!
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your enthusiasm shine through! We want to see why you're excited about helping with this project. Share any relevant experiences or interests that connect you to botany, conservation, or volunteering. It’s all about making that personal connection!
Keep It Clear and Concise: We appreciate clarity! Make sure your application is easy to read and straight to the point. Use simple language and avoid jargon unless it's relevant. Remember, we’re looking for volunteers who can communicate effectively, so show us you can do just that!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our DigiVol portal! It’s super easy and ensures your application gets to the right place. Plus, you’ll find all the resources you need to get started on your volunteering journey. Happy transcribing!
How to prepare for a job interview at ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS KEW
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, take some time to familiarise yourself with Kew's herbarium and fungarium collections. Understanding the significance of the specimens and the role of transcription will show your genuine interest and commitment to the project.
✨Show Your Passion for Nature
Express your enthusiasm for botany and conservation during the interview. Share any personal experiences or interests related to plants or volunteering that highlight your passion for helping make scientific information accessible.
✨Be Ready to Discuss Your Skills
Even if you don’t have prior experience, think about transferable skills you possess, such as attention to detail, patience, and computer literacy. Be prepared to discuss how these skills can help you succeed in transcribing specimen labels.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare a few questions to ask at the end of the interview. This could be about the types of specimens you'll be working with or how your contributions will impact Kew's mission. It shows you're engaged and eager to learn more about the role.
