Digital footprints and search pathways: Working with National Collections in Scotland during COVID-19 lockdown to design future online provision

About the project

The pandemic was particularly damaging for Scotland’s many museums and galleries since many had undeveloped online infrastructures. This research undertook a longitudinal study of the digital footprints of users in two national collections – National Museums Scotland and National Galleries of Scotland over a 12 month period. It examined how people engaged with heritage collections during and after lockdowns. It investigated whether digital access patterns changed, which collections drew most users and from where users were accessing collections.

Findings have implications for future policy decisions relating to development of digital platforms for national collections and for creating better online experiences for users.