Teina Herzer, Co-Chair, National Digital Forum

Teina Herzer introduces the digital capability research conducted by NDF, made possible by seed funding from Manatū Taonga's Capability Fund. The research project aimed to understand the present state of digital capability across the GLAM sector. The research gathered both quantitative and qualitative data, which gave a concise overview of the level of digital capability.

Organisations in the national GLAM sector expressed a clear need and desire for support to improve digital capability. The main limiting factors for organisations were budget and the lack of staff expertise. The most popular methods of learning were person-to-person, but the support that people felt they received from their organisations to engage in such activities was minimal to non-existent.

The findings suggest that the lack of learning resources is not the root cause of digital capability challenges in organisations. Rather, the problem lies in the lack of prioritisation, strategy, planning, and support for digital capability. NDF proposes that elevating the conversation around digital capability to the level of leadership in governance and funding bodies may unlock future opportunities to bring real sustained benefit to the sector. NDF will take these findings to set the direction for future capability initiatives and further research.