Scotland on the Internet

Outputs from this project

TBD

This project explores how we can better connect communities with their digital heritage by making web archives more accessible, engaging, and meaningful. Web archives preserve snapshots of websites, offering insights into how people and organisations represent themselves online. Yet, these archives are often hard to navigate for the wider public. Focusing on the “Scotland on the Internet” collection, we use creative methods—like data visualisation and interactive exhibition—to help the public explore their digital footprint. The project bridges the gap between online data and real-world experience by involving local artists, students, and community members in designing artworks and prototype interfaces. These will be tested with exhibition visitors through surveys and focus groups to better understand public needs and improve the usability of web archives. By combining technology, art, and humanities research, the project shows how web archives can reflect Scotland’s diverse identities and become more relevant, inclusive, and usable for everyone.

Funder: British Academy / Leverhulme Small Research Grants SRG 2025 Round

Project dates: 2025 – 2026