Method and Subject

Research activities in the social sciences and humanities have traditionally conceived digital outputs in terms of databases and websites. Practically, most of these are still implemented using SQL, table-based, data structures and synchronic web technologies. However, the constant evolution of software means that browser functionality and security arrangements are constantly changing. As a result, few digital research outputs, except published literature, remain accessible for more than a few years. Recent progress with research data infrastructures is described, which has the potential to improve the sustainability of research investments. This article presents new standards-based annotation techniques, developed in the biodiversity community, which have been applied to global history research questions. Open repository software platforms supporting this ‘scientific treatment’ approach can now generate technology-independent data resources – supporting long-term reuse by the global community. Promoting institutional change to adopt these developments is discussed, so that costs of data stewardship can be made forecast-able.