In the digital age, the preservation, digitization, and accessibility of cultural heritage have become imperative to safeguard our collective history for future generations. Universities are at the forefront of this preservation effort, engaging in partnerships with galleries, libraries, archives, and museums (GLAMs) to empower students to conserve and promote cultural artifacts.

Through collaborative projects and hands-on experiences, students gain valuable digital heritage preservation skills, ensuring the enduring legacy of our cultural treasures. This article explores ten impactful examples of how universities work hand-in-hand with GLAM institutions to strengthen cultural heritage preservation.

University of Victoria

Digital Planning for the Cultural Sector Micro-Certificate

The Digital Planning for the Cultural Sector micro-credential program looks at ways technology is being used in the cultural sector and gives you the in-de

The Cultural Informatics Program at the University of Victoria collaborates with GLAMs to provide students with research and project opportunities in digital heritage preservation. Through hands-on experience, students contribute to digitizing cultural materials, ensuring their long-term accessibility and conservation.

University of Birmingham

Cultural Heritage MA by Research/PhD (On-Campus or by Distance Learning)

Course information for prospective postgraduate students on our PhD Cultural Heritage doctoral research degree programme at the University of Birmingham

In partnership with the British Library, the Cultural Heritage and Curation program engages students in digitization projects to safeguard rare materials. Students gain practical experience preserving cultural artifacts and expanding public access to historical resources.

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Cultural Informatics and Heritage

Understanding the role of information technology in preserving, transmitting, and shaping human culture and heritage

The School of Information Sciences at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign works with the Illinois State Library and GLAM institutions to offer students real-world exposure to digital curation and preservation projects. Students are crucial in digitizing cultural heritage materials, contributing to their enduring legacy.

University of Oslo

Home - Department of Archaeology, Conservation and History

Read this story on the University of Oslo’s website.

The University of Oslo’s Department of Archaeology, Conservation, and History collaborates with museums and archives and involves students in digitization initiatives to document and uphold Norway’s rich cultural heritage. Students gain insights into preservation and the importance of digital access to historical artifacts.

University College London

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UCLDH is composed of a management team, a team of staff from across the College, an Industry Advisory Panel, as well as visiting and affiliated contributors.

The Centre for Digital Humanities at University College London partners with renowned cultural institutions such as the British Museum and the National Gallery. Students work on digitization projects to preserve valuable cultural artifacts, develop skills in digital curation, and contribute to disseminating cultural heritage.

University of Malta

Study-Unit Description - Courses - L-Università ta’ Malta

Study-Unit Description

The University of Malta collaborates with local museums and archives through the Digital Heritage program to digitize historical artifacts. Students actively participate in preserving Malta’s cultural heritage by digitizing and making these artifacts accessible online, ensuring their preservation for future generations.

University of California, Los Angeles

UCLA IS Media Preservation Lab Restores Community-Based Collections

Professor Shawn VanCour leads state-of-the-art lab where students gain hands-on training and participate in projects to preserve community media histories.

The University of California, Los Angeles’s Department of Information Studies, offers digital preservation and curation courses. Collaborating with GLAM institutions, students engage in digitization projects, gaining hands-on experience in preserving and providing access to cultural heritage materials.

University of Toronto

The overall objective of this project is to develop a data model, to select and model a small-scale sample of data drawn from the Archives of Ontario’s datasets, and to thereby test the possibilities and potential benefits for internal staff and public end-users.

The iSchool at the University of Toronto partners with GLAM institutions for research and collaboration on digitization initiatives. Students work on projects to digitize cultural artifacts, acquire skills in digital preservation, and contribute to advancing digital heritage practices.

University of Amsterdam

Duale master Preservation and Presentation of the Moving Image (Media Studies)

Become critically engaged with current practices of collecting and selecting, preserving and restoring, making accessible, presenting and curating moving images and sound.

The Department of Media Studies at the University of Amsterdam offers a master’s program in Preservation and Presentation of the Moving Image. Collaborating with GLAM institutions, students engage in digitization projects related to audiovisual materials, gaining expertise in digital heritage preservation and contributing to the conservation of moving image heritage.

Conclusion

These diverse collaborations between universities and GLAMs highlight students’ invaluable role in preserving, digitizing, and disseminating cultural heritage. By partnering with GLAM institutions, universities empower students to acquire practical skills, carry out meaningful digitization projects, and contribute to the ongoing efforts to safeguard our shared cultural legacy for current and future generations.

Author: John Suau