In this talk, we outline the theoretical framework and conceptual representations underpinning the design of the CONNECTIVE social media data research infrastructure, and illustrate its use, and that of the underlying conceptual model of semiotic activity on social network sites, for computer-assisted research on the mnemonic work of communities and institutions related to the Lithuanian difficult past and heritage. Finally, we offer insights on the significant properties of research data related to social media semiotic practices, and on the affordances of research infrastructures capable of supporting the pragmatic curation and fruitful analysis of heritage-related social media data.

This presentation reports on research conducted as part of "Connective digital memory in borderlands: a mixed-methods study of cultural identity, heritage communication and digital curation on social networks". The Connective project is funded by the European Social Fund under grant agreement 09.3.3-LMT-K-712-17-0027 with the Research Council of Lithuania (LMTLT).