Delivered by Joanne Carroll, Digital Photographer of the Harry Clarke Collection, Digital Repository of Ireland, at the e Digital Preservation for Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities conference (DPASSH), Dublin, 25 June 2015. Presentation outlining the development of a Code of Ethics for the Digital Repository of Ireland, including reasons why the Code was developed, the process of ‘ethicalisation’ and the practical and ethical, value-based challenges that occurred. The process is ongoing so these slides relay the conclusions so far in the process of developing a Code of Ethics and ethical identity for a digital repository.

1. Joanne Carroll
Trinity College Dublin
Clarke Studios Demonstrator Project
Developing a Code of Ethics for
the Digital Repository of Ireland

2. Contents
• Why develop a code of ethics for a digital repository?
• How the Code was developed
• Challenges in development
• Plans going forward
• Conclusion
A man without ethics is a wild beast loosed upon this world.
-Albert Camus

3. Why develop a code of ethics for a digital repository?
 Cross-disciplinary and cross-institutional organisation
 Confidence in ourselves
 Confidence from the public and partners in GLAM
sector
 Cement the ethical identity and core philosophies of
the organisation
 Practical reasons - preparation for ethical dilemmas
 Digital historiography - not completely “passive data
collectors”

4. How the Code was developed
• Values-based; aspirational; organisational code of ethics
• “Ethicalisation”:
Support from leadership
Email members of the whole organisation (Strand 1) for
top three value suggestions
25% response rate
Keep Strands 2 and 3, and Core Implementation Team up-
to-date on the development
Set up of Ethics Working Group to draft the code, from
Strands 2/3

5. Challenges in Development
• Cross-institutionalism of the DRI
• Timing of the development of the code- close to the launch of
the repository
• Confusion around who or what the code is for
• People’s understanding of what a code of ethics actually is
and how it should be used
• How to make the code useful but not too prescriptive
• Is it an aspirational or practical document?
More often there’s a compromise between ethics and expediency.
–Peter Singer

6. Values and Ethical Challenges
Agreed Values Challenging Issues
 Integrity of Objects ? Transparency
 Continued Professional Development ? Sustainability
 Openness ? Objectivity
 Inform national policy ? Professionalism
 Respect privacy ? Whistleblowing
 Communication ? Breaches of the code
 Social Responsibility

7. Going Forward
1. Final edits to draft
2. Approval from Core Implementation Team
3. Present to staff at the summer plenary
4. Workshop with DRI staff
5. Publish code
6. Promote to the community through social
media/blog/conferences
7. Review/reflect on the code annually

8. Conclusions
o Acknowledge the existing ethical landscape of the organisation
o Have an ethics champion
o Involve as many staff members as possible- ask opinions and
explain what ethics actually is
o Create a representative working group to develop the code
o Keep management and staff up-to-date on the development
o Codify your identity and philosophy through the Code of Ethics
and it’s development
o Make it an aspirational, living and relevant document
Action indeed is the sole medium of expression for ethics.
- Jane Addams

9. Thanks to everyone in DRI who participated in the development of their
Code of Ethics, particularly the Ethics Working Group:
Thank you
Natalie Harrower
Aileen O’CarrollCharlene McGoohan
Dermot Frost
Clare Lanigan
Sandra Collins