PHAIDRAcon'25
October 31, Padua, Italy - “Connecting Scholar and Citizen: The Emerging Social and Cultural Role of the Repository”
The academic repository has been developed as a tool for sharing digital resources as a part of scholarly communication. But people and governments are now questioning why knowledge sharing should stop at the edge of the campus?
Digitization is allowing academia to adopt a more interactive role within broader culture and society. PHAIDRAcon’25 focuses on the emerging new role for the repository as a central, enabling platform for academia to develop new interactions with society.
From The Third Mission agenda and Citizen Science, to the growing significance of digital cultural heritage, this year’s conference will explore the newly emerging role of the repository in forming new digitally-driven bonds between society and scholarship.
As part of this, we believe re-use - aligned with FAIR principles - should be developed further and extended to new communities.
Apart from these topics, part of the Conference Day will be dedicated to contributions from PHAIDRA partners. We invite you to share your experiences, use cases, and thoughts on the topic. Contact us via .
PHAIDRAcon'25: Connecting Scholar and Citizen: The Emerging Social and Cultural Role of the Repository
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PHAIDRA's Latest Adventures
PHAIDRA has been in production for over 15 years, continuously evolving to meet new challenges. Today, advancements in technical infrastructure are occurring at an unprecedented pace and the steady growth in community engagement and adoption reaches beyond academic institutions. In this talk, we will explore the latest progress within our community, highlight key milestones in software evolution, and share our vision for the immediate and long-term future.
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PHAIDRA has been in production for over 15 years, continuously evolving to meet new challenges. Today, advancements in technical infrastructure are occurring at an unprecedented pace and the steady growth in community engagement and adoption reaches beyond academic institutions. In this talk, we will explore the latest progress within our community, highlight key milestones in software evolution, and share our vision for the immediate and long-term future.
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Fedora Community Update
The Fedora community is not unfamiliar with challenge, change and rebuilding. Our path from the original days of Fedora to today is not straight, nor has it been without its detours and hiccups. But today the Fedora community feels a keen sense of accomplishment as we begin to see adoption rates of Fedora 6.x rise and migration efforts underway. We are hopeful for our future and are taking the necessary steps to engage users, both current and future, understand how we can support those working with older technologies and bring everyone forward to the newest, most modern version of Fedora. This talk will provide an overview of current community activities, development efforts and plans for the future as they relate directly to the PHAIDRA community. We will share some of the challenges we’ve faced, discuss what we learned and invite open conversation about ways we can evolve and grow to better support all of our users.
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The Fedora community is not unfamiliar with challenge, change and rebuilding. Our path from the original days of Fedora to today is not straight, nor has it been without its detours and hiccups. But today the Fedora community feels a keen sense of accomplishment as we begin to see adoption rates of Fedora 6.x rise and migration efforts underway. We are hopeful for our future and are taking the necessary steps to engage users, both current and future, understand how we can support those working with older technologies and bring everyone forward to the newest, most modern version of Fedora. This talk will provide an overview of current community activities, development efforts and plans for the future as they relate directly to the PHAIDRA community. We will share some of the challenges we’ve faced, discuss what we learned and invite open conversation about ways we can evolve and grow to better support all of our users.
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Unlocking PHAIDRAcon'25: Exploring Themes, Aims, and Pathways of the Day
As host and co-organiser of PHAIDRAcon'25, PHAIDRA Padova will be outlining the conference structure and objectives. This presentation will introduce the thematic cores shaping the programme and explain how case studies — including those from PHAIDRA partner institutions — represent diverse themes informed by different institutional contexts and disciplinary perspectives. It will provide a conceptual map for navigating the day's sessions, emphasising the connections between institutional experiences and the emerging social and cultural role of digital repositories.
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As host and co-organiser of PHAIDRAcon'25, PHAIDRA Padova will be outlining the conference structure and objectives. This presentation will introduce the thematic cores shaping the programme and explain how case studies — including those from PHAIDRA partner institutions — represent diverse themes informed by different institutional contexts and disciplinary perspectives. It will provide a conceptual map for navigating the day's sessions, emphasising the connections between institutional experiences and the emerging social and cultural role of digital repositories.
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Digital Archives and Third Mission: Assessing the Production of Public Goods in the VQR
Digital archives are among the instruments of the Third Mission of universities and research institutions and, within the framework of the Research Quality Assessment (VQR 2020–2024), are considered activities of knowledge valorisation. In the ongoing VQR 2020–2024, knowledge valorisation activities represent a broad framework, structured into five thematic areas and twenty-five fields of action. A central role is played by the Production and management of public goods, which encompasses the preservation of cultural heritage, the dissemination and accessibility of knowledge, and the promotion of open science. After a brief introduction to the VQR evaluation framework, the presentation will focus on the criteria and indicators adopted by ANVUR for assessing activities related to the production and management of public goods, with particular attention to the role of digital archives.
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Digital archives are among the instruments of the Third Mission of universities and research institutions and, within the framework of the Research Quality Assessment (VQR 2020–2024), are considered activities of knowledge valorisation. In the ongoing VQR 2020–2024, knowledge valorisation activities represent a broad framework, structured into five thematic areas and twenty-five fields of action. A central role is played by the Production and management of public goods, which encompasses the preservation of cultural heritage, the dissemination and accessibility of knowledge, and the promotion of open science. After a brief introduction to the VQR evaluation framework, the presentation will focus on the criteria and indicators adopted by ANVUR for assessing activities related to the production and management of public goods, with particular attention to the role of digital archives.
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Europeana for Education: Building Communities Around Digital Cultural Heritage
The Europeana initiative represents one of the most ambitious European efforts to make cultural heritage digitally accessible, reusable, and relevant for diverse audiences. Within this framework, the Europeana Network Association has fostered the development of a vibrant Educational Community that connects cultural institutions, educators, researchers, and citizens. In this talk, Altheo Valentini will present how this community supports teachers, educators, and cultural professionals in reusing digital collections for learning and training. Through practical examples, he will show how cultural heritage can inspire innovative teaching methods, foster collaboration among professionals, and create meaningful opportunities for learners of all ages. The intervention will also reflect on how Europeana’s educational initiatives encourage openness, creativity, and a stronger sense of belonging to a shared European space.
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The Europeana initiative represents one of the most ambitious European efforts to make cultural heritage digitally accessible, reusable, and relevant for diverse audiences. Within this framework, the Europeana Network Association has fostered the development of a vibrant Educational Community that connects cultural institutions, educators, researchers, and citizens. In this talk, Altheo Valentini will present how this community supports teachers, educators, and cultural professionals in reusing digital collections for learning and training. Through practical examples, he will show how cultural heritage can inspire innovative teaching methods, foster collaboration among professionals, and create meaningful opportunities for learners of all ages. The intervention will also reflect on how Europeana’s educational initiatives encourage openness, creativity, and a stronger sense of belonging to a shared European space.
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Adopting digital and virtual technologies to enhance cultural heritage: the case of the Aldrovandi Digital Twin
In this talk, the author introduces the methodology used and the outcome of the pilot case study of Spoke 4 of the Project CHANGES dedicated to the creation of a digital twin for the temporary exhibition "The Other Renaissance: Ulisse Aldrovandi and the Wonders of the World”, consisting of 258 cultural objects from various sources displayed in six exhibition rooms, all reconstructed in 3D. The work was carried out thanks to the collaboration between researchers and students from five departments of the University of Bologna, the CNR-ISPC, together with the managers and staff of the University Museum Network, the University Library, and the cultural institutions lending some of the artefacts included in the exhibition, including the Civic Archaeological Museum and the Civic Medieval Museum of Bologna.
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In this talk, the author introduces the methodology used and the outcome of the pilot case study of Spoke 4 of the Project CHANGES dedicated to the creation of a digital twin for the temporary exhibition "The Other Renaissance: Ulisse Aldrovandi and the Wonders of the World”, consisting of 258 cultural objects from various sources displayed in six exhibition rooms, all reconstructed in 3D. The work was carried out thanks to the collaboration between researchers and students from five departments of the University of Bologna, the CNR-ISPC, together with the managers and staff of the University Museum Network, the University Library, and the cultural institutions lending some of the artefacts included in the exhibition, including the Civic Archaeological Museum and the Civic Medieval Museum of Bologna.
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Upscaling Citizen Science in Research Libraries
The LIBER Citizen Science Working Group provides training material for practical implementation and leadership strategy of citizen science services. A focus is on how modern open science data infrastructure can be repurposed for citizen access and the steps needed to support researchers over the lifecycle of their citizen projects. libereurope.eu/working-group/liber-citizen-science-working-group/
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The LIBER Citizen Science Working Group provides training material for practical implementation and leadership strategy of citizen science services. A focus is on how modern open science data infrastructure can be repurposed for citizen access and the steps needed to support researchers over the lifecycle of their citizen projects. libereurope.eu/working-group/liber-citizen-science-working-group/
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The PHAIDRA Repository as a Research Support Tool for the Dissemination of Knowledge and Information on Migrations: The Outcomes of the Milagro Project
The presentation highlights the efforts of the University Library “Svetozar Marković” in Belgrade, as the central library of the University of Belgrade, in connecting and integrating the activities of the EU-funded project Milagro, within the framework of the CERV program, with its long-standing experience in using the PHAIDRA repository. In this way, the Library has moved beyond its traditional role of supporting academic and research work at the University and has stepped into the field of addressing concrete issues faced by citizens and individuals in need. The Milagro Project (MIgrants and Local communities Actively GROwing together for inclusive societies) aims to contribute to raising awareness of the state of migration through various project tasks, and, at the same time, to enable cooperation and mutual understanding between migrant and local communities through the exchange of experiences. Together with partners from Italy (NACU, SIS – Siena) and the Netherlands (UCU – Utrecht), the Library has adapted its daily activities—including various forms of education, workshops, and training—to a new target group, thereby expanding its experience and approaches. All educational activities within the Milagro Project gain a new and essential dimension: practical application. They are closely linked to the everyday challenges of the migrant population, such as recognizing discrimination, providing first aid, or acquiring basic computer skills. As part of the project, an Observatory website was established, with the interactive map as a core component. Though it is named a repository, it is mainly a visual tool for locating civil society organizations that provide assistance to migrants. Within this context, it became evident that establishing a new PHAIDRA Milagro system —both as a research support tool and as an open science platform— would bring genuine added value to the project, in particular through interoperability. PHAIDRA Milagro functions as a fully developed thematic repository that gathers not only scientific papers, but also reports, data, and electronic resources on the topic of migration. These materials can be preserved long-term, described using a standardized set of metadata, and shared with other systems. In this way, PHAIDRA Milagro combines research capacities with pressing civic issues, enabling mutual improvement and stronger connections. Ultimately, through these activities, the Library —by stepping into new thematic areas— becomes enriched with new experiences and expanded functions.
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The presentation highlights the efforts of the University Library “Svetozar Marković” in Belgrade, as the central library of the University of Belgrade, in connecting and integrating the activities of the EU-funded project Milagro, within the framework of the CERV program, with its long-standing experience in using the PHAIDRA repository. In this way, the Library has moved beyond its traditional role of supporting academic and research work at the University and has stepped into the field of addressing concrete issues faced by citizens and individuals in need. The Milagro Project (MIgrants and Local communities Actively GROwing together for inclusive societies) aims to contribute to raising awareness of the state of migration through various project tasks, and, at the same time, to enable cooperation and mutual understanding between migrant and local communities through the exchange of experiences. Together with partners from Italy (NACU, SIS – Siena) and the Netherlands (UCU – Utrecht), the Library has adapted its daily activities—including various forms of education, workshops, and training—to a new target group, thereby expanding its experience and approaches. All educational activities within the Milagro Project gain a new and essential dimension: practical application. They are closely linked to the everyday challenges of the migrant population, such as recognizing discrimination, providing first aid, or acquiring basic computer skills. As part of the project, an Observatory website was established, with the interactive map as a core component. Though it is named a repository, it is mainly a visual tool for locating civil society organizations that provide assistance to migrants. Within this context, it became evident that establishing a new PHAIDRA Milagro system —both as a research support tool and as an open science platform— would bring genuine added value to the project, in particular through interoperability. PHAIDRA Milagro functions as a fully developed thematic repository that gathers not only scientific papers, but also reports, data, and electronic resources on the topic of migration. These materials can be preserved long-term, described using a standardized set of metadata, and shared with other systems. In this way, PHAIDRA Milagro combines research capacities with pressing civic issues, enabling mutual improvement and stronger connections. Ultimately, through these activities, the Library —by stepping into new thematic areas— becomes enriched with new experiences and expanded functions.
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sMapshot - The participative time machine
The Vorarlberg State Library uses retro-digitisation to facilitate long-term access to its image collections and makes the content available to all in a user-friendly way on its PHAIDRA-based repository, „volare“. Traditional resources and methods are limited when it comes to processing large volumes of high-quality data, so new and innovative methods are being explored to generate descriptions and metadata more efficiently. The sMapshot crowdsourcing platform allows digital image files to be georeferenced to a geographical location and landscape images to be positioned on a virtual 3D globe. This geoinformation makes it possible to calculate place names such as cities, districts or mountains.
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The Vorarlberg State Library uses retro-digitisation to facilitate long-term access to its image collections and makes the content available to all in a user-friendly way on its PHAIDRA-based repository, „volare“. Traditional resources and methods are limited when it comes to processing large volumes of high-quality data, so new and innovative methods are being explored to generate descriptions and metadata more efficiently. The sMapshot crowdsourcing platform allows digital image files to be georeferenced to a geographical location and landscape images to be positioned on a virtual 3D globe. This geoinformation makes it possible to calculate place names such as cities, districts or mountains.
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From Academic Archive to Public Resource: Third Mission Strategy Using Phaidra for Historical Dissemination
CASREC, the University Centre for the History of the Resistance and the Contemporary Age at the University of Padua, has had amongst its principal aims since its establishment what we now call the Third Mission: disseminating its heritage to the public. The Centre, incorporated within the University of Padua since 2014, has indeed inherited the material and ideological legacy of the Veneto Institute for the History of the Resistance, founded in 1949 by the protagonists of the Resistance in Padua and the Veneto region, to keep alive amongst scholars and the civilian population the memory of what occurred in this territory during the struggle against Nazi-Fascism from 1943 to 1945. It is therefore a point of reference for academic scholars, researchers and students, but also for ordinary citizens who find memories of the past in its historical archive, comprising documents from various partisan formations, photographs, posters and leaflets. A very important role in Third Mission activities has been played in recent years by the Phaidra digital repository, which has enabled the Centre to reach a vast audience by making available to scholars and citizens, including those from outside the local area, part of Casrec's extensive heritage. The presentation will showcase some examples of Phaidra's use by this cultural centre, particularly the inclusion of collections of leaflets and clandestine publications from partisan formations, the precious collection of posters from the Italian Social Republic, the photographic archive, including the latest collection relating to the Sergio Nave collection, with its compilation of images of Allied aerial bombardments on Padua and the surrounding territory.
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CASREC, the University Centre for the History of the Resistance and the Contemporary Age at the University of Padua, has had amongst its principal aims since its establishment what we now call the Third Mission: disseminating its heritage to the public. The Centre, incorporated within the University of Padua since 2014, has indeed inherited the material and ideological legacy of the Veneto Institute for the History of the Resistance, founded in 1949 by the protagonists of the Resistance in Padua and the Veneto region, to keep alive amongst scholars and the civilian population the memory of what occurred in this territory during the struggle against Nazi-Fascism from 1943 to 1945. It is therefore a point of reference for academic scholars, researchers and students, but also for ordinary citizens who find memories of the past in its historical archive, comprising documents from various partisan formations, photographs, posters and leaflets. A very important role in Third Mission activities has been played in recent years by the Phaidra digital repository, which has enabled the Centre to reach a vast audience by making available to scholars and citizens, including those from outside the local area, part of Casrec's extensive heritage. The presentation will showcase some examples of Phaidra's use by this cultural centre, particularly the inclusion of collections of leaflets and clandestine publications from partisan formations, the precious collection of posters from the Italian Social Republic, the photographic archive, including the latest collection relating to the Sergio Nave collection, with its compilation of images of Allied aerial bombardments on Padua and the surrounding territory.
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