Lowering the Barriers to Computational Access for Digital Archivists : a launch event

Computational access is a term that is mentioned with increasing frequency by those in the digital preservation community. Many practitioners are aware it might be helpful to them (and their users) but do not have a handle on what exactly it entails, how it is best applied and where to start. It is often linked, however imprecisely, with concepts like text mining, machine learning and artificial intelligence. It also raises professional and ethical concerns pertaining to data protection and sensitivity review. These well-founded but ill-formed concerns, in combination with the relative dearth of experience and know-how means computational access has been relatively slow to develop. And yet, preventing or constraining access seems to put archives and institutions on the wrong side of often-stated ambitions to unlock archives.

To help address this challenge, the DPC have been working with SSI fellow Leontien Talboom on a getting started guide to computational access for the digital preservation community. Working with experts from across this domain we have been pooling community knowledge, case studies and tips to get started and have brought these together into a guide which intends to lower the barriers to getting started with computational access techniques.

This event marks the launch of this guide and provides an opportunity to learn more about computational access. Presentations will include a basic overview of the concepts and terminology, a selection of case studies from those working in this area and plenty of opportunity for discussion and Q&A. Attendees should come away with some ideas for how they might try and employ these techniques going forward.

Confirmed speakers

• Sarah Ames, National Library of Scotland
• Jefferson Bailey, Internet Archive
• Jake Bickford, The National Archives, UK
• Ian Milligan, University of Waterloo
• Leontien Talboom, University College London

A full programme will follow in due course.

Registration

Places are strictly limited and should be booked in advance. Registration will close at 12:00 UTC+1 4th July and early booking is recommended as we expect this event will be popular. Registration is free for DPC Members. There is a limit of 5 places per Full Member and 1 place per Associate Member and these will be available on a 'first come, first served' basis.

DPC members can claim their free place by entering the promotional code DPCMEMBER. Cancellations will be accepted until 12:00 UTC+1 on 4^th July, a 'no show' fee of £50 may be charged for those who cancel after this time.

Non DPC Members can attend this event for a price of £250.

If you have any questions about registration please contact Ellie O'Leary (eleanor.oleary@dpconline.org)