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- Tasks: Transcribe plant labels from home to help make specimens accessible online.
- Company: Kew Gardens, a leading botanical institution with a global impact.
- Benefits: Flexible hours, gain experience in scientific research, and contribute to global knowledge.
- Why this job: Make a real difference by helping scientists and enthusiasts access vital plant information.
- Qualifications: No prior experience needed; just a passion for plants and learning.
- Other info: Join a community of volunteers and receive tutorials to guide you.
Online Volunteers to transcribe Herbarium Specimens. 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.
To this end we are asking for your help in transcribing the information on the specimen labels that are visible in the specimen images. 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.
Remote Volunteer: Transcribe Plant Labels from Home 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 Remote Volunteer: Transcribe Plant Labels from Home in Richmond
✨Tip Number 1
Get familiar with the DigiVol portal before you start. Spend some time exploring the platform and its features so you can hit the ground running when you begin transcribing those plant labels.
✨Tip Number 2
Set a regular schedule for your volunteering. Consistency is key! By dedicating specific times to transcribe, you'll not only stay organised but also make steady progress in helping Kew's collections go digital.
✨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 stuck or need clarification on anything. It’s all part of the learning process!
✨Tip Number 4
Share your experience with friends and family! The more people know about this opportunity, the more help Kew can get. Plus, it’s a great way to connect with others who are passionate about plants and science.
We think you need these skills to ace Remote Volunteer: Transcribe Plant Labels from Home 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 plant labels 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 for plants and science shine through! We love seeing applicants who are excited about contributing to our collections. Share any relevant experiences or interests that connect you to this role, even if they’re just personal hobbies.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language and avoid jargon unless it's relevant. We appreciate applications that are easy to read and get straight to the heart of why you want to volunteer with us.
Apply Through Our Website: Make sure to submit your application through our DigiVol portal. It’s super easy and ensures we receive all your details correctly. Plus, you’ll find all the info you need to get started right there. Happy transcribing!
How to prepare for a job interview at Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, take some time to research Kew and their herbarium collections. Familiarise yourself with the types of specimens they hold and the importance of transcribing this information. Showing that you understand the mission behind the role will impress the interviewers.
✨Practice Transcribing
Since the role involves transcribing handwritten labels, it’s a good idea to practice this skill beforehand. Find some examples online or use the DigiVol portal to get a feel for what you'll be doing. This will help you feel more confident during the interview.
✨Ask Questions
Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare some thoughtful questions about the role and the impact of your work on Kew's mission. This shows your genuine interest and helps you gauge if the position is right for you.
✨Be Yourself
Don’t forget to let your personality shine through! The interviewers want to see who you are beyond your skills. Share your passion for plants and conservation, and don’t hesitate to mention any relevant experiences, even if they’re informal.
