The deadline for peer-reviewed submissions has been extended to March 16
The Digital Preservation Bake Off is a live, interactive session where participants demonstrate tools, workflows, or approaches to solving real digital preservation challenges using a shared dataset - the Pantry. Each demo is short, practical, and focused on showing how things actually work in practice.
Anyone working with or developing digital preservation tools, workflows, or research can participate. This includes, but is not limited to, practitioners, developers, researchers, vendors, and students.
The Pantry is a curated set of digital objects provided to all Bakers in advance. It typically includes a mix of formats and deliberately challenging materials - such as corrupted files, unusual formats, or incomplete metadata. The files reflect real-world preservation scenarios.
Yes! If you need something not there, we encourage you to contribute. All files must be openly licensed. You can submit your files by filling out this form.
We actively try to recruit for needed files via personal networks and public call-outs. If this proves impossible, we then work with the Baker to find alternatives from the existing Pantry.
Upon submission, we ask contributors to specify the license. If it’s unclear, we ask to confirm they have the right to share.
Yes! That's the point. Open licenses mean anyone can use them for testing, teaching, etc.
Due to the complexity and volume of submissions, last year we introduced two tracks. This year they are:
Track 1: The Signature Home Bake - Some of the best baking happens outside professional kitchens. This challenge is for practitioners whose main job isn't software development but who've baked up a script, small tool, or clever workaround to solve a real problem in their work. Homemade doesn't mean second-best; it means built with purpose, tested in the real world, and seasoned with hard-won experience. Bring your best bake.
Track 2: The Showstopper Pro Bake - This is the professional showcase, a chance for software developers and vendors to present a single, focused demonstration of a tool, feature, or workflow from their product. Not a full menu, not a sales pitch: one showstopper item, plated with precision and presented with craft. Make every minute count.
The submission deadline is June 8th, 2026. Submit your Bake via this form.
All presentations should answer the friendly challenge and demonstrate their solutions in a short, live demo, solving real preservation problems. A strong Bake Off demo should:
We try to encourage an emphasis on practical demonstration rather than explanation. This makes for a more engaging demo!
The most effective demos are:
Demos should be balanced:
Avoid abstract explanations and focus on showing what the tool does and how it behaves. Even if it doesn’t work, the fun is in giving it a go!
Yes. Each session is followed by a short Q&A session where the audience can ask to clarify things shown in the demo. For example, in the past, questions have covered a wide array of topics, including how the tools handle edge cases, scalability, sustainable use, and integration. Informally, there are usually a few questions about the fun chef attire often worn by attendees. Past years have seen guest stars such as Remy the Rat and an actual working toaster oven.
Bakers should be ready to discuss:
Sustainability. Any maintenance, support, and future plans should be mentioned.
We check the conference schedule before assigning sessions, but things do slip through the cracks. If a conflict does exist, let us know, and we will swap your session. If you are unable to attend any of the sessions, you may need to withdraw your submission.
We encourage all Bakers to have a backup plan. You won’t be penalised if the issue is out of your control. You’ll be given a chance to present again.
That’s part of the Bake Off spirit (and not unheard of!). If it’s a really bad presentation, the Chairs are known to beat you with a wooden spoon as you leave. Just kidding. This has never happened. So far.
We are very strict; fairness to all bakers requires consistent timing. You will receive a warning at 9 minutes, and your presentation will be cut off at 10. The closer you are to the buzzer, the higher the tension.
Depending on the conference budget and technical capacity, this answer differs each year. This year, we are pleased to announce that we will be accepting virtual presentations.
We try to be realistic about what's possible. The sessions will be held during appropriate hours for the host’s timezone, including the virtual session. We ask our Bakers to be adaptable.
No.
Virtual presenters will be asked to submit a pre-recorded video in case of live technical issues. This is not a preferable option; we ensure the submitter's work is seen! If you fail to attend the virtual session, your video will not be shared in your absence.
Where possible, we try to be inclusive. Likely, a submission would only be rejected if:
You are proposing to do actual baking
The Bake Off is a collaborative and exploratory session where participants and the audience learn from each other. Any questions or feedback are typically informal and discussion-driven.
No. First-time participants are welcome! The Bake Off is designed to be inclusive and supportive. It’s a fun space!
The Bake Off is an opportunity to:
For further details and submission guidance, please use the general conference email: info@ipres2026.dk.
Submissions for the iPRES 2026 Digital Preservation Bake Off are open and close on 8 June 2026. Further details, submission guidance, and information about the Bake Off tracks and “Open Kitchen Hours” are available here.