Contrary to common perception, the web is far from permanent. Websites are constantly updated, restructured, or taken offline, making the web a far less stable source than print, digitised archives, or audiovisual collections. This ephemeral nature poses a challenge for researchers relying on web sources. Still, it also underscores the growing significance of web archives as a resource for contemporary historical and media research. Web archives provide access to past versions of websites, allowing scholars to explore online cultures, political discourse, and media practices that would otherwise be lost.
This workshop will introduce participants to web-archived materials, combining theoretical insights with practical skills and tools. By the end of the workshop, participants will have a foundational understanding of web-archived materials, be aware of key theoretical and methodological debates, and be equipped with practical strategies or frameworks to begin integrating web archives into their research.
For the full program, more information and registrations: visit the RMeS Workshop: Working with web archives in Media Studies: An introduction to theory, methods, and practices webpage.
About the workshop
When: 12 November 2025, 9.30-17.15 hrs.
Where: University of Groningen
Coordinators: Nathalie Fridzema and Susan Aasman (both RUG)
ECTS: 1 EC
For: PhD’s and research master students who are a member of a Dutch Graduate Research School (onderzoekschool). Students who are members of RMeS will have first access.
Participants must be able to bring a laptop to the workshop.