Pre-existing systems of validating research for purposes of promotion and tenure do not always fit well in the realm of digital scholarship. Scholarly communication in these fields is often highly visual and interactive, and there is a certain loss experienced when scholarship performed in a digital environment is communicated in print format. Also, digital scholarship is frequently performed in a collaborative manner, and across disciplines, which can confound an administrative validation process that traditionally emphasizes the roles of principal investigator and sole author.

Of course, there are different points at which digital scholarship may be validated other than by a tenure committee: by a community of fellow scholars (either through informal communication such as blogging or more formally through conference presentations); by funding bodies who financially support the scholarship; by publishers, through acceptance for formal publication; by media outlets, through communication about the research to their audiences. These all have their role in serving to advance digital scholarship as a meaningful form of research, while maintaining different levels of value. However, it is sometimes difficult to adequately communicate in traditional formats the output and value of digital scholarship, which in turn affects the university’s validation of that scholarship.

How may a university develop a supportive environment for its digital scholars, who seek validation of their work? This Lightning Talk will present areas of need identified at Northeastern University, discuss initial steps taken towards addressing these needs, and highlight specific ways the library can play a role.