The Digital Preservation Coalition (DPC) has launched a new online training course today, N2KH: Advocacy, designed to support digital preservation professionals in communicating the value of their work and building support within their organizations. This training is the latest addition to the Novice to Know-How (N2KH) online learning pathway. Like previous courses in the series, it has been conceived and funded by The National Archives (UK) and delivered by the DPC.
As Dorothy Waugh, Head of Workforce Development at the DPC, notes, “For anyone working in digital preservation, advocacy is a critical and ongoing responsibility–whether it involves securing funding for new systems or simply explaining to a colleague the value of what we do. This presents big opportunities, but can also be challenging. Research, including findings from the DPC’s Mental Health and Wellbeing Report, shows that advocacy work can sometimes feel burdensome, isolating, and personally demanding.”
Recognizing this, the N2KH: Advocacy course aims to acknowledge the often-overlooked emotional labor of advocacy, by providing practical tools, building confidence, and helping practitioners to communicate the importance of their work more effectively.
The course introduces a practical approach to advocacy, guiding learners through how to define clear goals, understand their audience, and communicate effectively. It also explores how to build momentum, respond to feedback, and sustain advocacy efforts over time, while acknowledging and navigating the shared challenges of advocacy. To make these lessons actionable, learners will develop an Advocacy Action Plan to help guide their next steps.
This new course also forms part of a broader programme of work, with the DPC currently developing an Advocacy Toolkit, due to launch in June. The toolkit will bring together practical guidance, resources, and training - including this N2KH: Advocacy course - to support digital preservation practitioners in their advocacy efforts.
Tina Morton, Head of Archive Sector Leadership at The National Archives (UK), says: “Our Digital Century, The National Archives’ digital capacity building strategy, highlighted Advocacy as being one of four core areas of work to assist the sector in building digital capacity. We are delighted to continue our support for the Novice to Know-How programme and hope this free online course will empower archive professionals to build skills and confidence, advocate for digital preservation and make a lasting impact within their organizations.”
Special thanks
The DPC is grateful to The National Archives (UK) for creating this opportunity and supporting professional development for digital preservation.
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The National Archives is the official archive of the UK government, and of England and Wales. It is the sector leader for archives in England and approaches its leadership role collaboratively, supporting partnerships and working to encourage a sustainable and innovative sector. The National Archives works with all archives including national institutions, local authorities, universities, businesses, charities and private collections.
About the Digital Preservation Coalition
The DPC is an international charitable foundation which supports digital preservation, helping its members around the world to deliver resilient long-term access to digital content and services through community engagement, targeted advocacy work, training and workforce development, capacity building, good practice and standards, and through good management and governance. Its vision is a secure digital legacy.