The Digital Preservation Coalition exists to help create a political and organisational climate responsive to the need for digital preservation. This requires a commitment to advocacy on behalf of the digital preservation community.

We help key decision-makers and opinion-formers understand the opportunities and challenges of long-term access to digital collections and encourage them to act, ensuring that public and institutional policy, legislation and regulation enable robust digital preservation infrastructures. We understand and articulate the needs of our members, encouraging and supporting the development of tools, services and standards that are of benefit to all.

Talking to others in your organisation about Digital Preservation

The Executive Guide on Digital Preservation provides practitioners with a combination of generic and specific messages and motivators designed to communicate with senior executives, legislators and budget holders, as well as decision and policy makers with a view to embedding the value of digital preservation at the core of every organization.

Start your internal advocacy campaign with the Executive Guide on Digital Preservation

You might also find useful:

How to Talk to IT about Digital Preservation

Making the Case for Digital Preservation in your organisation

The DPC is an independent authority which represents the digital preservation community, providing assurance and support to all of its members. The DPC identifies the benefits and value of digital collections, helping our members make the case for digital preservation within their own organisations, opening lines of communication and facilitiating discussion.

Often when organisations try to adapt or expand their activities in a way that requires additional resources to accommodate its digital preservation activities, it is typical for senior management to request that a business case or briefing is prepared. This should outline the resources required, what the resource will be used to achieve and how this new investment will benefit the organisation. The Digital Preservation Business Case Toolkit provides an array of helpful information to assist in the construction of a business case, from planning and preparation all the way through to polishing and communicating the finished case for digital preservation in your organisation.

Consult the Digital Preservation Business Case Toolkit

Responding to Public Policy initiatives

The DPC campaigns for digital preservation and long term access to be a feature of public policy and routinely advises Government and related agencies on issues that are relevant to our members and our mandate. We publish our responses as a commentary of public policy consultations relating to digital preservation.

Read our responses

Celebrating greatness in the digital preservation community

The Digital Preservation Awards

Every two years the the DPC holds its prestigious Digital Preservation Awards - the most prominent celebration of achievement for those people and organisations who have made significant and innovative contributions to maintaining a digital legacy. 

A carefully selected group of expert judges review a series of projects and services which have been completed since the close of the previous award and which have been proposed by the community.  They create a short list of nominees who are interviewed about their work and then select the project which they think deserves particular attention.  The winners are announced at a specially convened ceremony and the winners receive a trophy, certificate, cash prize and international recognition.

Find out more about the Digital Preservation Awards

World Digital Preservation Day

World Digital Preservation Day is held on the first Thursday of every November and brings together the digital preservation community to celebrate their work - the collections they have preserved, the access they have maintained and the understanding they have fostered by preserving digital materials.

The aim of World Digital Preservation Day is to create greater awareness of digital preservation that will translate into a wider understanding which permeates all aspects of society – business, policy making, personal good practice.

Find out more about World Digital Preservation Day

•  DPC Annual Report 01 August 2010 - 31 July 2011
•  DPC Annual Report 01 August 2009 - 31 July 2010
•  DPC Annual Report 01 August 2008 - 31 July 2009
•  DPC Annual Report 01 August 2007 - 31 July 2008
•  DPC Annual Report 01 August 2006 - 31 July 2007
•  DPC Annual Report 01 August 2005 - 31 July 2006
•  DPC Annual Report 01 August 2004 - 31 July 2005
•  DPC Annual Report 01 August 2003 - 31 July 2004
•  DPC Annual Report 23 July 2002 - 31 July 2003

The DPC Board meets quarterly to review activities and finances against the current work and strategic plans, as well as any risks and opportunities for the Coalition.

The DPC Annual General Meetings (AGM) are held annually and all members, both full and associate, are invited to send representatives.

Where a member is unable to attend voting by proxy can be faciliated.

AGM 2015

The Thirteenth Annual General Meeting of the Digital Preservation Coalition (DPC) was held at 14.45 on Monday the 30th of November 2015 in the Lecture Theatre, Weston Library, Broad Street, Oxford OX1 3DG. The Meeting was chaired by Laura Mitchell, Chair of the Digital Preservation Coalition.

Papers for the meeting are available for download

Agenda
1. Welcome
2. Introduction and formal notice of meeting
3. Apologies
4. Minutes of the Twelfth AGM, held on Monday 17th November 2014, London (DPCAGM15B)
5. 2014-5 Annual Report of the DPC (William Kilbride – Verbal Report)
6. The 2014-15 Annual Accounts of the DPC (Jackie Senior, G&E) (DPCAGM15C)
7. Election of Chair and Vice-Chair of the DPC
a. Laura Mitchell (NRS) nominated for re-election
b. Kevin Ashley (DCC) nominated for election as vice chair
8. Any Other Business
9. The Inaugural DPC Presidential Address by Richard Ovenden, President of the DPC
‘Our digital memory accessible tomorrow’
1530 (approx.) Close

Tour of the Weston Library

AGM 2014

The Twelfth Annual General Meeting of the Digital preservation Coalition was held at 1615 on Monday 17th November 2014 in the Dale Room at the Wellcome Collection 183 Euston Road.

Papers for the meeting are available to download

AGM 2013

The Eleventh Annual General Meeting of the Digital Preservation Coalition was held at 15:00 on Thursday 5th December 2013 at the National Records of Scotland, Edinburgh in the HM General Register House.

Agenda (DPCAGM13A)

1.    Welcome (Kevin Ashley)
2.    Introduction and formal notice of meeting 
3.    Apologies 
4.    Minutes of the Tenth AGM, held on Monday 3rd December 2012, Wellcome Library, London (DPCAGM13B)
5.    2012-3 Annual Report of the DPC (William Kilbride – Verbal Report)

• DPC Core Programme 2012-13
• Major Projects 2012-13

6.    The 2012-13 Annual Accounts of the DPC (Jackie Senior, G&E) (DPCAGM13C)
7.    Election of Chair and Vice-Chair of the DPC

• Laura Mitchell (NRS) nominated for election as chair
• Kevin Ashley (DCC) nominated for re-election as vice chair

8.    4C – the Collaboration to Clarify the Costs of Curation (Sarah Norris)
9.    Any Other Business

1530 (approx.) Close

AGM 2012

The Tenth Annual General Meeting of the Digital Preservation Coalition (DPC) was held on Monday 3rd December 2012 (Burroughs Room of the Wellcome Conference) starting at 1500.

AGM 2011

The Ninth Annual General Meeting of the Digital Preservation Coalition (DPC) was held at 15.30-16.30 on Thursday the 1st of December 2011 in the room G39, Public Record of Northern Ireland, Titanic Boulevard, Belfast BT3 9HQ. The meeting was followed by a tour of the new PRONI offices.The AGM was chaired by Richard Ovenden, Chair of the Digital Preservation Coalition.

Agenda (DPCAGM11A)
1. Welcome (Richard Ovenden)
2. Introduction and formal notice of meeting
3. Apologies
4. Minutes of the Eighth AGM, held on Wednesday 1st December 2010 (DPCAGM11B)
5. The 2010-11 Annual Report of the DPC (William Kilbride)
6. The 2010-11 Annual Accounts of the DPC (Chris Woodruffe, G&E) (DPCAGM11C)
7. DPC Strategic Plan 2012-2015 (DPCAGM11D)
8. Election of Chair and Vice-Chair of the DPC
9. APARSEN Project (Sharon McMeekin)
10. TIMBUS Project (Angela Dappert)
11. Any Other Business

AGM 2010

The Eighth Annual General Meeting of the Digital Preservation Coalition (DPC) was held at 1500 on Wednesday 1st December 2010 in the Starr Auditorium at Tate Modern, Bankside, London SE1 9TG. 

AGM 2009

The Seventh Annual General Meeting of the Digital Preservation Coalition (DPC) was held at 1400 on Monday 23rd November 2009 in the National Library of Scotland, Edinburgh.

• See also a report of the meeting in http://dablog.ulcc.ac.uk/2009/11/30/dpc-agm-and-thoughts-on-preserving-research-data/" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px 16px 0px 0px; position: relative; background: url("/../images/icons/external.gif") right -1px no-repeat;">Kevin Ashley's Digital Archiving Blog.

AGM 2007

• The Third Annual General Meeting of the Digital Preservation Coalition was held on 2nd November 2005 at the British Library, London
• The Second Annual General Meeting of the Digital Preservation Coalition was held on 26th October 2004 at the British Library, London
• The First Annual General Meeting of the Digital Preservation Coalition was held on the 23rd January 2004 at King's College, London

Join us and support digital preservation for all

Our generation has invested as never before in digital resources and we've done so because of the opportunity they bring. They have grown in volume, complexity and importance to the point that our children are baffled by the inefficiencies of the analogue age. Pervasive, fluid and fragile: digital data is a defining feature of our age. Industry, commerce, government, law, research, health, social care, education, the creative industries, the heritage sector and private life depend on digital materials to satisfy ubiquitous information needs and expectations. Digital preservation is an issue which all organisations, particularly in the knowledge sector, will need to address sooner or later. Digital preservation means long term access, and long term access means long term opportunity

There are also external drivers which contribute to the increasing relevance and importance of digital preservation. In the research area, for example, grant funding bodies are beginning to impose conditions which require ongoing access to, and sustainability of, digital assets created through their funding programmes. There are also legal drivers which impact on the management of digital material e.g. Freedom of Information, Data Protection Act. 

What does the DPC do?

Through investment and active participation, members and allies ensure the strength and direction of the Coalition and achievement of its goals. Members and allies are typically investing significant resources in creating and disseminating digital information, digital archiving and curation, or in developing software and hardware products. There has a been a strong desire that the challenges of digital preservation should be addressed collaboratively and strategically, and prospective Coalition members have expressed their desire to provide funding for establishing the Coalition and begin addressing its mission and the common benefits it provides.

Our Strategic Plan for 2022 - 2027 defines five objectives:

• Community: by offering a warm welcome to all agencies and individuals with an interest in digital preservation and providing an efficient and effective platform for meaningful and sustained professional exchange.

• Advocacy: by working towards a climate of public and institutional policy which is better informed and better inclined towards digital preservation.

• Workforce Development: by providing opportunities for our members to acquire, develop and retain competent and responsive workforces that are ready to address the challenges of digital preservation.

• Good Practice: by supporting our members towards greater maturity in digital preservation through knowledge exchange, continuous improvement, horizon scanning, advice on standards, authoritative publications, and engaging and informative events.

• Accountable, Sustainable and Dynamic Governance: by maintaining and enhancing our organizational functions and structures to ensure good governance.

These objectives are realised in our current DPC Prospectus 2025-2026 (available soon in Arabic, Chinese, French, German and Spanish)

Which affiliation is right for you?

Organisations may be affiliated with the DPC in one of three ways:

We also have a small set of Allied Organisations and Honorary Personal Members who are invited to participate and collaborate with us: Find out more.

How to make it happen ...

1. Read our prospectus (available soon in Arabic, Chinese, French, German and Spanish) and find out about different kinds of membership 

2. Contact us so we can discuss it

3. Download the Membership Application Form (PDF Version) or Supporter Application Form

4. Complete and sign the form

5. Send your form so the Board can approve it.

6. That's it!

How to find us:

University Gardens, Glasgow

By Car
There is very limited car parking directly adjacent to the Glasgow Office but nearby car parks may be found on Ashton Road, Lilybank Gardens and Kelvinbridge Subway Station.

By Public Transport
The Glasgow office is close to the Hillhead stop on the Subway. From the Subway, exit left onto Byres Road and take the first left signposted Ashton Lane. Follow the lane all the way round until it meets University Avenue, take the second left onto University Gardens and find the office on the left hand side of the road.

By Rail
Glasgow is served by two central railway stations, Glasgow Queen Street and Glasgow Central Station, each of which have stops on the subway system. 

By Air
Glasgow airport is around 10 miles west of the city centre. Connections to and from the University may be made by bus or train.

Tanner Row, York

By Car

There is one disabled parking space available, please ask to book this in advance. The parking area is to the left hand side of the building. If being dropped off by taxi or car, please ask to be dropped at the side entrance as there is a ramp to the entrance. There is also a large car park directly opposite our side entrance, with secure parking available 24 hours a day.

By Public Transport
Tanner Row is adjacent to York's central bus interchange on Rougier Street which is served by all of the main bus routes into and out of the city centre.

By Rail
Tanner Row is very close to York Railway Station. To find the office, cross the road directly in front of the station. Turn left and pass through the city walls throughthe arch ahead of you. Walk past the front of the Grand Hotel York. The office is directly through the large gates at the far side of the hotel.  

By Air
Leeds-Bradford Airport and Manchester Airport are the most convenient airports for York. There is a half-hourly bus service to Leeds station, from which frequent trains are available to York, and there are direct trains from Manchester Airport which take around 2 hours.

London airports (Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted) have excellent international air connections, with onward travel to York consisting of a 45-75-minute Underground (or train plus Underground) journey to London King's Cross station, followed by the 2-hour train journey from King's Cross to York.

University of Melbourne, Australia 

The DPC is governed by an Executive Board and is accountable to members through a Representative Council and a series of thematic Sub-Committees. It employs 14 staff.

President

• Richard Ovenden OBE, Bodleian Library, University of Oxford

Representative Council

The DPC Representative Council is formed of a delegate from each of our full members.  It ensures that the DPC remains tightly focussed on its strategic plan, and that the strategic plan is relevant to members' emerging needs. It meets every three months, immediately before or after the Executive Board to receive and review the DPC's workplan and progress reports.

• Reports to DPC Representative Council

Executive Board

The Executive Board oversees delivery of the DPC strategic plan and is responsible for governance and compliance.  It meets quarterly to receive reports on major risks and set forward financial plans. The Executive Board comprises 4 officers (Chair, Vice Chair, Financial Director, Executive Director); 4 Sub-committee Chairs (Advocacy, Workforce Development, Research, Management); and 4 'Ordinary' members. Directors are not representatives, they are required to act in the best interests of the DPC and have legal responsibilities for it. A register of directors interests is maintained to ensure neutrality. The Chair and Vice Chair are elected annually at the AGM, Executive Director and Financial Director are are ex-officio with continuous appointment. Other directors serve for a maximum term of 6 years (with an option to renew but only after one year hiatus), and are appointed subject to a competency-based recruitment framework. 

• Prof Jane Winters - Chair (December 2023)

• Michelle Donoghue - Director for Workforce Development (April 2023)

• Tim Gollins (March 2024)

• Edith Halvarsson (March 2022) 

• Leslie Johnston (March 2022)

• Tim Keefe - Financial Director and Chair of Management Sub-Committee (January 2018*)

• Dr William Kilbride - Executive Director (January 2018*)

• Kate Murray - Vice Chair (March 2021)

• Roxana Maurer - Director for Research (October 2019)

• Vicky Plaine (March 2023 - April 2025)

• Paul Stokes - Director for Advocacy and Community Engagement (April 2020)

• Dr Alicia Wise (April 2023) 

• Sean Rippington (Observer / Director from April 2025)

• Nathan Tallman (Observer / Director from October 2025)

Register of Directors Interests can be viewed here (member login required). 

*Continuous appointments Ex Officio

Sub-Committees

The DPC has six Sub-Committees drawn from the membership which meet every 3 months or so.  Each is charged with oversight of one or more of the DPC's strategic six goals.  Each one is chaired by a Board director, has up to 15 member representatives and each one supports the work of a DPC staff member. The Sub-Committees make important decisions about the work of the coalition such as the awards of grants or review of funding proposals, and they have detailed involvement in the development of our workplan in each area.

• Americas Stakeholder Group (Chair: Leslie Johnston)

• Australasia Stakeholder Group (Chair: Vacant)

• Advocacy and Community Engagement Sub-Committee (Chair: Paul Stokes, Director for Advocacy and Community Engagement)

• Management and Governance Sub-Committee (Chair: Tim Keefe, Financial Director)

• Good Practice Sub-Committee (Chair: Roxana Maurer, Director for Research)

• Workforce Development Sub-Committee (Chair: Michelle Donoghue, Director for Workforce Development)

Sub-Committee membership is refreshed at the start of every calendar year.

See all Sub-Committee members.

Staff

• Dr Amy Currie, Training and Grants Manager

• Dr Andrew Jackson, Preservation Registries Technical Architect

• Dr William Kilbride, Executive Director

• John McMillan, Chief Operating Officer

• Sarah Middleton, Chief Community Officer

• Jenny Mitcham, Chief Digital Preservation Officer

• Ellie O'Leary, Administration Manager

• Michael Popham, Digital Preservation Analyst

• Anna Perricci, Head of DPC Americas

• Angela Puggioni, Community Engagement Manager

• Garth Stewart, Head of Good Practice (Sept 2025)

• Karyn Williamson, Digital Preservation Analyst

• Dorothy Waugh, Head of Workforce Development (Sept 2025)

• Robin Wright, Head of DPC Australasia-Pacific

Previous Office Holders 

• Kevin Ashley (Vice Chair 2012-2022) 

• Neil Beagrie (Secretary 2002-2003)

• Dr Juan Bicarregui (Chair 2018 - 2023) 

• Frances Boyle (Executive Director 2008-2009)

• Dame Lynne Brindley (Chair 2002-2006)

• Reg Carr (Vice Chair 2002-2005)

• Maggie Jones (Secretary 2003-2006)

• Patricia Kernaghan (Vice Chair 2011)

• Patricia Killiard (Vice Chair 2012)

• Bruno Longmore (Vice Chair 2006-2010, Acting Chair 2009)

• Laura Mitchall (Chair 2013-2017)

• Ronald Milne (Vice Chair 2005- 2006, Chair 2006-2009)

• Richard Ovenden OBE (Chair 2009-2013)

• Najla Semple (Secretary 2006-2007)