At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the digitisation and preservation of Deaf heritage collections, ensuring accessibility and cultural accuracy.
- Company: Join the British Deaf Association, a champion for Deaf culture and heritage.
- Benefits: Fixed-term role with opportunities for professional growth and community engagement.
- Other info: Collaborate with Deaf communities and contribute to meaningful projects.
- Why this job: Make a real difference by preserving Deaf heritage for future generations.
- Qualifications: Experience in digital archiving and a passion for Deaf culture.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
The Digital Archivist will lead the development, management, and safeguarding of the BDA’s digital heritage collections. This includes the digitisation, cataloguing, preservation, and access of Deaf heritage materials such as BSL films, photographs, documents, oral histories, artefacts, and community records. The role is central to ensuring Deaf heritage is preserved by Deaf people, for Deaf people, and made accessible in British Sign Language as well as written English, in line with best practice in digital preservation and inclusive archiving.
Digital Archiving & Preservation
- Provide a digital archivist lead for the Heritage Lottery Fund ‘Deaf Heritage Sorted’ project.
- Lead the digitisation, cataloguing, and long-term preservation of Deaf heritage collections, including audiovisual BSL content, photographs, manuscripts, and born-digital materials.
- Implement and maintain digital preservation standards, workflows, and metadata frameworks appropriate to mixed‑media and sign language collections.
- Ensure collections meet recognised archival, museum, and heritage standards while reflecting Deaf cultural values and lived experience.
Collection Management & Documentation
- Develop and manage digital asset registers, catalogues, and collection management systems.
- Create and maintain metadata in both English and BSL, ensuring accessibility and cultural accuracy.
- Support accessioning, rights management, licensing, and ethical use of archival materials.
Deaf‑Led & Community‑Centred Practice
- Assist the Heritage Manager to work collaboratively with Deaf communities, historians, artists, and organisations to identify, document, and preserve heritage materials.
- Support community‑led collecting, co‑curation, and participatory archiving approaches.
- Ensure that Deaf people are meaningfully involved in decisions about how their heritage is preserved, described, and shared.
Access, Engagement & Learning
- Support the development of accessible digital platforms, exhibitions, and online resources for Deaf and hearing audiences.
- Contribute to public engagement, education, and research use of collections, including support for exhibitions, events, and learning programmes.
- Work with communications and policy teams to ensure Deaf heritage content is shared responsibly and widely.
Governance, Ethics & Compliance
- Ensure compliance with data protection, copyright, safeguarding, and ethical standards.
- Contribute to policies on digital preservation, access, collections development, and risk management.
- Support funding applications, reporting, and evaluation relating to heritage and digital projects.
This list is not to be regarded as exclusive or exhaustive, as there may be other duties and requirements associated with the post, which BDA may call upon the post-holder to perform from time to time.
Vacancy for Digital Archivist at British Deaf Association (BDA) in London employer: Digital Preservation Coalition
The British Deaf Association (BDA) is an exceptional employer dedicated to preserving and promoting Deaf heritage through innovative digital archiving. With a strong commitment to inclusivity, the BDA fosters a collaborative work culture that empowers employees to engage meaningfully with Deaf communities, ensuring their voices are heard in the preservation of their cultural legacy. Located in vibrant cities like London or Manchester, the BDA offers unique opportunities for professional growth and development in a supportive environment that values diversity and community involvement.
Contact Details:
Digital Preservation Coalition Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Vacancy for Digital Archivist at British Deaf Association (BDA) in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the Deaf community and digital archiving field. Attend events, join online forums, and connect on social media. The more you engage, the better your chances of landing that Digital Archivist role!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio showcasing your previous work in digitisation and archiving. Include examples of how you've made materials accessible, especially in BSL. This will help us see your passion and expertise in action.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on Deaf heritage and community-led practices. Be ready to discuss how you would ensure inclusivity in your work. We want to know how you’ll make a difference in preserving Deaf culture!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us. Don’t miss out on this opportunity!
We think you need these skills to ace Vacancy for Digital Archivist at British Deaf Association (BDA) in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Deaf Heritage:When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for Deaf heritage shine through! Share any personal experiences or connections you have with the Deaf community and how they inspire your work in digital archiving.
Tailor Your CV and Cover Letter:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight relevant skills and experiences that align with the role. We want to see how your background fits into the specific tasks mentioned in the job description, like digitisation and community engagement.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language and avoid jargon unless it’s relevant to the role. This will help us understand your qualifications without getting lost in complicated terms.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your materials and ensures you’re considered for the position. Plus, it makes the whole process smoother for everyone involved.
How to prepare for a job interview at Digital Preservation Coalition
✨Know Your Digital Heritage
Familiarise yourself with the BDA’s digital heritage collections and their significance. Understand the importance of Deaf culture and how it influences archiving practices. This will show your passion for the role and your commitment to preserving Deaf heritage.
✨Showcase Your Technical Skills
Be prepared to discuss your experience with digitisation, cataloguing, and digital preservation standards. Bring examples of past projects where you implemented workflows or metadata frameworks, especially those that involved mixed-media or sign language collections.
✨Engage with the Community
Highlight any previous work you've done with communities, particularly in a collaborative or participatory context. Discuss how you would involve Deaf people in the archiving process and ensure their voices are heard in decisions about their heritage.
✨Prepare for Ethical Discussions
Understand the ethical considerations surrounding data protection, copyright, and safeguarding in archiving. Be ready to discuss how you would ensure compliance with these standards while promoting accessibility and cultural accuracy in both English and BSL.
