From cataloguing to archiving, conservation to collections management, “hidden” labour has long existed in cultural and heritage work. However, due to our reliance on digital technology, the nature of this “hidden” museum labour has irrevocably changed. Across the following two episodes, we’ll chart the uniquely “hidden” aspects of digital activity at Science Museum Group, considering how those working in archives, collections cataloguing, data management and documentation are the unsung heroes of the museum. In this episode, we travel to the National Railway Museum in York, turning our gaze to the complex, “hidden” digital labour required to work with an archive of such enormous scale and size, hearing from staff and volunteers about the kinds of skills – some more emotionally attuned and intuitive than you might expect – needed to digitise a vast technology collection.

Voices you’ll hear in this episode include Dr Sophie Vohra – Research Associate (National Railway Museum), Alison Kay – Archives Manager (National Railway Museum), Olivia Weekes – former Associate Archivist for Film and Sound (National Railway Museum), Ian Ford – Volunteer (Caledonian Railway Association), Keith Fenwick – Volunteer (Caledonian Railway Association), Tania Parker – Associate Archivist (National Railway Museum), John Stack – Digital Director (Science Museum Group), Jessica Bradford – Keeper of Collections Engagement (Science Museum Group) and Jack Kirby – Associate Director of Collections Services (Science Museum Group). The voiceover artist in this episode was Rifa Thorpe-Tracey.

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