Dear All,

The DPC has today published the first two parts of its response to the National Heritage Science Strategy: http://www.dpconline.org/graphics/reports/index.html#nhsstrategy  In these it re-iterates the principles of the UNESCO charter on digital heritage, stating that 'digital resources can have lasting value and therefore constitute a heritage', and noting the opportunity to align appropriate elements of the National Heritage Science Strategy with research and development in digital preservation.

In 2006, the House of Lords Science and Technology Committee inquiry on Science and Heritage noted that the high regard in which the UK's heritage sciences had once been held was under threat.  It called for a new and all embracing UK-wide strategy for heritage sciences.  The result has been the establishment of a National Heritage Science Strategy steering group which has commissioned 3 reports to act as a substantive evidence base upon which a new national strategy can be drawn.  The first two of these reports, published earlier in 2009, examine the nature of the problem - gaps in knowledge and practice and current uses of science in heritage.  Amongst the emerging conclusions are difficulties with managing and accessing scientific research data.

Commenting on the first two reports, the DPC notes that 'threats to the digital estate are distinctive: conventional conservation and preservation are not sufficient to the challenge of preserving digital objects'.

Arguments for digital preservation are often based in regulatory, financial, commercial or academic practice: the identification of digital resources as heritage objects should not be overlooked: 'The capacity of heritage to provide witness, inspiration and meaning-making are not in question. But, without access to suitable digital collections, future generations will be constrained in their capacity to understand, be inspired and create meaning from the digital outputs and interactions of this generation.'

The DPC also notes the potential for collaboration with the research and higher education community which has developed considerable experience with data management issues within science and which already has active programmes of research and development in this field.  Consequently the DPC identifies a potential to align activities accordingly.

The third report from the steering group has been released today and the final strategy consultation document is due in October.

All best wishes,

William

--
Dr William Kilbride FSA
Executive Director
Digital Preservation Coalition

44 (0)141 330 4522
http://www.dpconline.org/
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