Presentation during World Digital Preservation Day 2018 and International Conference 'Memory Makers' organised by DPC and the Dutch Digital Heritage Network

1. Digital Information
Management
Programmes @UCD
Dr. Amber L. Cushing
University College Dublin
amber.cushing@ucd.ie

2. What is digital curation?
Digital
curation
Abbott, 2008
the management and preservation of
digital material to ensure accessibility
over the long term
Digital
Stewardship
Bastian et al.,
2011
creation, maintenance, preservation,
dissemination, and exhibition of trusted
bodies of digital information for current
and future use

3. Today's Agenda
Digital curation
Digital Curation needs analysis in
Ireland
Applying findings to educational design
Current digital information
management programmes @UCD
Next steps

4. Digital curation education research
Many models of education developed at
mostly US Schools of Information and
Library Science
Existing research focuses on basic
competencies without contextual
considerations

5. Case Study, 2015-2017
6 item online questionnaire of digital
curation needs and skill2015
2016
minute Semi-structured interviews
with professionals who has some
experience with digital curation
2017
item online questionnaire of
preferences for digital curation
education offerings

6. Research questions
What are the digital
curation skills, needs and
challenges in the Irish
context (RoI & NI)?
How can these be
integrated into an effective
education model?

7. Response
responses to
2015 online
questionnaire
responses to 2017
online
questionnaire
semi-structured
interviews
94 9 164

8. Findings highlights
Few professionals
could define and/or
explain digital
curation/preservation/
stewardship and did
not report practice
good data
management in day to
day work.
92.68% were
interested in CPD
education in digital
information
management. Most
reported wanting the
ability to educate
colleagues
/administration and
advocate for funding
and resources.
Fragmented &
incomplete definitions
of digital curation /
preservation offered.
Many people confused
digitisation with digital
preservation.

9. What does this mean?
Consistent lack of
understanding of
digital preservation /
curation.
Many practitioners
work alone and need to
educate colleagues.
There is definite
interest in CPD
education in this area,
as long as it is flexible
for working
professionals.
Existing literature
assumes a shared
understanding of
digital curation /
preservation.
There exists a dire need
for "inreach" skills.

10. Applying findings
Our Msc in Dig Info Mgmt now offers tracks:
Business and the private sector
Cultural heritage
HEIs & civil service
Tracks
In 7, we launched an online, on
demand format CPD certificate in
Digitial Information management.
in Jan. 9, we will launch a new
module on outreach and
communication in Digital info Mgmt.
CPD
"Inreach"

11. Dig Info Mgmt @UCD School of Info & Comm Studies
60 credits 30 credits 15 credits
Full/part time
Pick one of 3 tracks
summer internship
or thesis
Full/part time
Pick one of 3 tracks
Classwork only
Part time
5 modules
Pathway to
GradDip/Msc
Part time
2 semesters only
100% online or
50% online / 50% 4
day intensive
Msc GradDip GradCert ProfCert
90 credits

12. Modules
Digital Curation Core Concepts
Intro to Digital Info Mgmt
Managing IT for Info Prof
Digital Curation Tools
Research Data Management
Outreach & Comm for Dig Info
Mgmt
Research Theory & Practice
Digital Libraries
Internship or thesis
Web publishing
UXD
Quant Data Analysis
Cultural heritage
Digital Storytelling
Arts Marketing
Foundations of Information
Information Ethics
Public Admin & policy

13. Next steps
-Name change
new inreach module launches
-integrate cit sci case studies
-increase online modules
-expand partnerships
-new internship sites
Short
term
long
term

14. Thank you
Questions?
Dr. Amber L. Cushing
University College Dublin
amber.cushing@ucd.ie