Journal article

The tip of the iceberg: Public good and the curation of humanities research records

Nicholas Thieberger

Arena Journal | Arena Printing and Publications Pty. Ltd | Published : 2025

Abstract

We stand at a point in history in which we can expect to see more humanities research data lost than is preserved. Research data is the primary material created in the course of research: transcribed manuscripts, photographic images, media recordings and so on (hereafter referred to as primary records). This is typically publicly funded material, and, in the humanities it is of interest to the general public – if they could access it. Why can’t they? Because the effort that goes into funding research is not matched by an effort to ensure that primary records created in that research are curated for future access and use. This is for two basic reasons: first, in most countries there is no nat..

View full abstract

University of Melbourne Researchers