Micky Lindlar
Micky Lindlar is the Head of Digital Preservation at the TIB in Hannover, where their work addresses one of the most pressing challenges in modern research: the long-term sustainability of digital knowledge. Operating at the critical intersection of data stewardship and archival science, they ensure that complex research datasets, software, and digital objects remain accessible, interpretable, and truly FAIR not just for years, but for decades. As a prominent leader in the international digital preservation community, they are deeply involved in global infrastructure initiatives like the Open Preservation Foundation (OPF). Crucially, their expertise forms a vital bridge between national networks and the European Open Science Cloud (EOSC), where they actively contribute to task forces shaping continental policies for long-term data preservation. Their operational practice and research tackle the complex vulnerabilities of file format obsolescence and the need for robust, machine-actionable metadata. By seamlessly connecting active research data management with long-term digital archiving, Lindlar provides the foundational strategies necessary to build resilient, future-proof infrastructures that align the German NFDI ecosystem with broader EOSC standards.
Digital Preservation: Long-Term Archiving with Short-Term Benefits
Section titled “Digital Preservation: Long-Term Archiving with Short-Term Benefits”In their keynote “Digital Preservation: Long-Term Archiving with Short-Term Benefits,” Micky Lindlar challenges the notion that digital preservation is a costly, future-oriented burden with little immediate return. Building on their prior work—including ongoing efforts in the EOSC EDEN project—Lindlar demonstrates how a shared, actionable understanding of preservation practices (such as file format validation, metadata standardization, automated workflows, and FAIR, CARE, and TRUST principles) can deliver immediate value: from reduced redundancy and improved data quality to cost savings and interoperability. By reframing preservation as a strategic asset—not just a compliance task—Lindlar argues that organizations can unlock short-term gains today while future-proofing their data for decades. Attendees will leave with practical insights into how to align preservation efforts with operational efficiency, ensuring sustainability without sacrificing agility.
