Enabling Research Innovation with Digital Archives: The University of Manchester Library

Description

At the Creative Manchester: Unlocking Historical Archives with AI – Opportunities and Challenges event, Dr Gail Millin‑Chalabi, Head of Digital Reach in the Directorate of AI and Ideas Adoption (AIIA) at The University of Manchester Library, explored how digital collections, advanced imaging, and AI are reshaping access to historical archives.

Her presentation highlighted the scale and diversity of the Library’s Special Collections, spanning rare books, manuscripts, archives, maps, and born‑digital material held across the John Rylands Research Institute and Library, the Main Library, and the Ahmed Iqbal Ullah RACE Centre. Gail outlined how advanced imaging techniques—such as multispectral imaging, photometric stereo imaging, and 3D scanning—combined with AI‑supported analysis and metadata enrichment, are unlocking new research possibilities across the humanities and heritage science.

The talk showcased the Library’s digital platforms, including Manchester Digital Collections and the emerging Manchester Digital Exhibitions, as key infrastructures for research, teaching, and civic engagement, enabling global access to curated collections and narrative‑driven digital exhibitions.

Gail also introduced Re:Collect, a strategic initiative to review and redesign the Library’s digital collection platforms, ensuring they are accessible, inclusive, and responsive to user needs.

Overall, the presentation demonstrated how AI‑enabled digital infrastructure can unlock historical archives while supporting research innovation and public engagement.

Period	20 Jan 2026
Event title	Creative Manchester: Unlocking Historical Archives with AI – Opportunities and Challenges even
Event type	Conference