The Challenges of Archiving Experimental and Practice-Based Scholarly Works

This poster was presented at the Born-Digital Collections, Archives and Memory conference, on 2-4 Apr 2025. Abstract: We have been investigating the archiving of open access books as part of a funded project. We have recently extended our work into the archiving of PhD theses. A complementary work package on the project has also been exploring the publishing of experimental books. This paper will explore the challenges we have identified in archiving experimental works as well as practice-based PhD theses. Although not necessarily seen as related, both of these types of work are usually not of the “traditional” textual nature. This means that the questions raised around archiving them can actually be seen as related and pose similar challenges to the archiving body. Questions we will be examining as part of the project include: What are the existing workflows and processes for archiving this type of material? What are the gaps in the current workflows impacting this type of material? How ready are Institutional Repositories for this type of material? Are there differences between specialist institutions and more broad-based institutions? Are PhD theses more broadly archived and, if so, how? E-theses are considered as part of the “Published Research Papers” in the DPC Bitlist and marked as “Vulnerable”: https://www.dpconline.org/digipres/champion-digital-preservation/bit-list/vulnerable/bitlist-published-research-papers This paper will outline our research findings in these areas highlighting individual and institutional challenges and suggest initial recommendations for how these types of material can be successfully archived by institutions.