Twenty-Second International Conference on Environmental, Cultural, Economic & Social Sustainability

Abstract

This paper explores the transformative potential of digital sound archives in fostering the power of healing and inclusivity with sensory engagement within library and archival spaces. While archives are often perceived as sites of historical documentation, digital sound collections offer unique opportunities for healing, cultural regeneration, and community engagement by centring embodied experiences, sensory interactions, and affective memory. Through a phenomenological approach, this study examines how visitor’s physical and sensory encounters with digital sound objects shape archival processes, interpretation, and accessibility. Drawing on case studies from the British Library’s ‘Unlocking Our Sound Heritage (UOSH)’ project, this research highlights how inclusive design and community engagement make digital sound collections more inclusive and experientially rich. This research argues that sound collections hold profound potential for healing through sensory and affective engagement. Digital sound recordings, when framed as living archives, can facilitate intergenerational dialogue, cultural continuity, and community co-creation, particularly for groups whose heritage is rooted in oral traditions. Furthermore, this study examines how digital platforms can be harnessed to expand access to archival materials, fostering deeper connections between audiences and their intangible cultural heritage. Ultimately, this paper underscores the importance of digital innovation and accessibility in re-imagining museum and archival practices as spaces of healing. By acknowledging the inclusive design and innovation process, cultural organizations can adopt more engaged and regenerative approaches to heritage preservation in an evolving digital landscape.