Exploring the potential of Archivematica to preserve research data….because digital preservation won’t just go away

1. Research data spring
Filling the Digital Preservation Gap27/2/2015
Exploring the potential of Archivematica to preserve
research data
….because digital preservation won’t just go away

2. Scope and Gap
07/04/2015 Filling the Digital Preservation Gap - Jen Mitcham (York) and Chris Awre (Hull) 2

3. Scope and Gap
»University ofYork RDM questionnaire 2013
»Which data management issues have you come across in
your research over the last five years?
› “Inability to read files in old software formats on old
media or because of expired software licences”
› 24% of researchers surveyed (181) admitted this had
been a problem for them
07/04/2015 Filling the Digital Preservation Gap - Jen Mitcham (York) and Chris Awre (Hull) 3

4. This is a digital archive
The Open Archival Information System (OAIS)

5. Scope and Gap
»There is a digital preservation gap in RDM
»We can’t ignore digital preservation – moving targets for
data retention mean we need to take this seriously
»We want to investigate and raise awareness about a low-
cost way of filling this gap
»Fits into the Research data systems integration and
interoperability and possibly shared services categories
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6. Impact and Benefits
» Make clear information about Archivematica available:
› What can it offer us?
› Where does it fall short?
› What does it integrate with?
› Where does it fit within the RDM workflow?
› What resources are required to install and maintain it?
» Raise awareness about this low cost digital preservation
solution
» Local proof of concept case studies for others to follow
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7. Sustainability
»Enhancements to Archivematica will be incorporated into
the code base, maintained by the community and freely
available for others to use. It is all open source
»Continued knowledge sharing via the UK Archivematica
group, international Archivematica community and RDM
circles
»Digital preservation is all about sustainability!
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8. Outputs, milestones and indicators of success
» Phase 1: Explore
› detailed report summarising findings including
recommendations for required developments
» Phase 2: Develop
› development against Archivematica (available for wider
community)
» Phase 3: Proof of concept
› proof of concepts at Hull andYork with results/case study
disseminated
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9. Funding
»Phase 1 – Explore
› £12,200
»Phase 2 – Develop
› c.£30-35,900
»Phase 3 – Proof of concept
› c. £35,000
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10. Team
»Chris Awre and Richard Green – University of Hull
»Jen Mitcham and Julie Allinson – University ofYork
With help from:
»In house developers
»Artefactual Systems
Other supporters:
»Universities ofWarwick, Strathclyde, Nottingham, St
Andrews, Lancaster, ULCC and Arkivum
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