Reflections from DCDC 2025 & The Future of Archival Digitisation in Higher Education

We recently had the pleasure of attending DCDC25 at Durham University, which is a key conference in the cultural heritage calendar that brings together colleagues from archives, libraries, museums, and the academic sector.

This year’s event provided a valuable opportunity to hear from thought leaders, share experiences, and connect with professionals facing similar challenges in managing and providing access to growing archival collections.

A number of the talks and conversations focused on access and discovery, and the role digitisation continues to play in improving visibility and engagement with collections, especially within universities.

The sessions sparked interesting dialogue around collaboration across departments, strategies for unlocking hidden material, and the need for long-term thinking when it comes to digital projects.

DCDC 2025 | 29 – 31 July 2025, at Durham University

“The atmosphere at DCDC25 was genuinely energising, with so many valuable conversations taking place. One of the standout sessions for me was The Ward 16 Manuscripts, 'Towards Digitisation without Disruption', presented by Lotte Fikkers from Leiden University and David Mills from Queen Mary University, London. Their work using X-ray photo tomography to digitise fragile materials without handling them was both innovative and inspiring, it really showed how far the field is progressing.”

- Nathanael Liu - Account Manager at TownsWeb Archiving

Supporting Universities with High-Quality Digitisation

Many of the university staff we spoke with were at different stages of their archival digitisation journey, but a common goal was clear: to make their collections more accessible, more discoverable, and better preserved for the future.

We’ve previously worked with several institutions, helping to digitise their archives, including the Bodleian Libraries (University of Oxford), Edge Hill University, Cambridge University Press, Heriot-Watt University, University of Salford, and the University of the Arts London. In each case, our focus has been on delivering high-quality digitisation that’s tailored to academic needs and underpinned by sector best practices.

Whether the aim is to support research, teaching, or outreach, we work closely with each organisation to ensure that their digitisation projects are delivered with clarity, consistency, and long-term value in mind.

View of a DCDC 2025 presentation

A Note on Digitisation Standards and Compliance

While not a central topic at DCDC, we know that digitisation standards and legal compliance are key considerations for many universities. That’s why we place such strong emphasis on getting the fundamentals right.

We follow guidance from trusted sector bodies including Jisc, the Collections Trust, and The National Archives, adhering to recommended specifications for resolution, file formats, colour profiles, and metadata creation. We also align our work with the OAIS Reference Model, which supports the long-term preservation and accessibility of digital collections.

Legal compliance is equally important. We take care to follow UK legislation, including the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act, the Data Protection Act, and the Equality Act, ensuring that content is handled appropriately, ethically, and with respect to rights and accessibility.

Our digitisation studio, in Kettering, Northamptonshire.

Continuing the Conversation

DCDC25 was a timely reminder of the innovation and energy across the sector, particularly within higher education. From informal conversations to inspiring presentations, the event reinforced how vital digitisation has become in supporting academic access and safeguarding heritage.

If your institution is currently planning or reviewing a digitisation project, we’d be happy to share our experience and explore how we can support you.