2005 The Digital Object - UK Museums and the Web: MCG

21st April 2005

organised by the mcg
hosted by The University of Leicester
sponsored by The 24 Hour Museum, mwr and Simulacra

Thank you to all participants and speakers for making the day such an inspiring and successful event.

Comments on this year's event and suggestions for next year, please email Mike Lowndes - m.lowndes AT nhm.ac.uk.

Presentations and conclusions are below.

Skip to contents.

The Pitch:

Today, amidst the information age, the idea of 'object', 'visit' and (even) 'site' have been transformed. The 'collections' our visitors engage with are just as likely to be digital in format, bringing with them an array of new curatorial challenges as well as audience expectations.

Our community holds one of the richest sources of such information and knowledge available in the world. Much of this knowledge does not make it into physical galleries, but can be ideal for the web. In communicating this knowledge we need to understand the world of publishing better and consider seriously the permanence of digital material and access to it. At the same time we need to aid understanding of the widest possible audiences by explaining and bringing to life its value to them. A tall order, and all within our limited budgets.

Squaring up to these major changes, and by drawing together a range of practitioners, consultants, scholars, policy makers and industrialists this year's UK Museums and the Web conference focuses attention on to the 'digital object'.

Timetable

9.00-9.45
registration and coffee
Ken Edwards Building, rooms 526, 527, 528

Main sessions: (MC Ross Parry)
Ken Edwards Building, Lecture Room 1

9.45-10.00
Welcome from mcg chair
Debbie Richards, mcg.
Introduction from the 24 Hour Museum.
Jane Finnis, Director

10-10.30
Publishing the digital object Abstract
Including the International Cultural Portal Survey
Chair: Jon Pratty, 24 Hour Museum.
Peter Bale, Online Editorial Director, The Times and The Sunday Times.
Patrick Towell, Simulacra

Peter Bale - Abstract / Biography. - Powerpoint presentation
Patrick Towell - Abstract / Biography - Online presentation

David Dawson and Chris Yapp 10.35 -11.15
Valuing the digital object
Perspectives from outside the sector
Chair: David Dawson
Chris Yapp, Microsoft.
- Powerpoint presentation.

11.15-11.45
Coffee kindly sponsored by Simulacra

11.45 – 12.25.
Accessing the digital object
Chair: Marcus Weisen, Development Officer (Disability), MLA.
Helen Petrie, City University
Brian Kelly, UKOLN

Marcus Weisen Abstract - Powerpoint presentation
Helen Petrie Abstract - Powerpoint presentation
Brian Kelly Abstract - Powerpoint presentation

12.30-1.10
Defining the digital object
From tangibles, to intangibles ...to e-tangibles? Expanding the notion of 'museum object'.
Chair: Ross Parry, University of Leicester.
- Powerpoint presentation
Charlie Gere, ICR, Lancaster University. Abstract / Biography

1.10-2.10
Buffet lunch kindly sponsored and hosted by mwr.

2.10-2.55 Parallel sessions

Parallel Session a – Learning with the digital object
Digital technology - expensive substitute for the real thing, or justifiable motivator for learning. Abstract - Powerpoint presentation
Martin Bazley, eLearning Group for Museums, Libraries and Archives and ICT4Learning.

Parallel Session b – Future technologies and the digital object
A beginner's guide to the semantic web. Abstract - Powerpoint presentation
Mike Lowndes, Natural History Museum.

Parallel Session c – Ownership over the digital object
Digital Rights Management and the Lifecycle of a Digital Object. Abstract
Chair: Naomi Korn, Museums Copyright Group. Powerpoint presentation
Nick Poole, mda Powerpoint presentation

3.00-3.45
Managing the digital object
Best and future practice in digital object management and recording
Chair: Nick Poole, mda. Abstract
Patrick Towell Online presentation
Gordon McKenna Powerpoint presentation

3.45-4.15
Tea kindly sponsored by Simulacra

4.15-5.15
The reality of the digital object
Engaging with the challenges facing small museums. Abstract
Ian Edelman, Recreation and Heritage, Hampshire County Council.

5.15-5.30
Closing remarks: some take-homes
Mike Lowndes, mcg UKMW lead, Natural History Museum.