A new approach to volunteer lead digitisation

Abstract

• As part of an AHRC funded research project we are aiming to bridge the gap between in person and online volunteering. Working with a group of Bradford volunteers we are creating an experimental method for giving ownership over to those volunteers in deciding what parts of a collections get catalogued and digitized; how the digital assets get made; and their potential for us on citizen science platforms such as Zooniverse.org. As part of the project, we have created a new method for volunteer led digitization of our photographic collection which combines the best practice of museum standards with opportunities for deep levels of engagement and agency with the collections