Online Cenotaph emerges as a significant tool in promoting social cohesion in an era where our interactions with history and culture take place online. Social cohesion can be described as the glue that keeps a community together; making sure everyone feels connected, supported, and part of something bigger.

Since its establishment in 1996 by the Museum's Research Library, Online Cenotaph has transformed from a basic, textual Roll of Honour to a rich biographical database. Originally listing 18,000 New Zealanders who died in active conflict, it now includes more than 264,000 records spanning 40 conflicts. Since 2015, the public has been able to enrich each record with images, notes, and data – with 197,000 contributions uploaded so far.

Recently Online Cenotaph collaborated with Victoria University's School of Information Management to study the space where museums, community, and social connections meet.

The original research paper can be found here: Liew, C. L. & Passau, V. (2024). "The Auckland War Memorial Museum Online Cenotaph: community participation, collective memorialisation and social cohesion". Global Knowledge, Memory and Communication. https://doi.org/10.1108/gkmc-08-2023-0299

The full paper summarises that study, which revealed how digital platforms like Online Cenotaph can serve as valuable tools in promoting social connection, community engagement and collective memory making.

The research objectives centred around understanding user experience, perception, and expectations of Online Cenotaph and its impact on social cohesion. We investigated how users interact with the platform, their view of it as a resource for collective social history and for online commemoration, and their expectations for its future development. Users reported a strong sense of connection to their community both online and in real life and an increased appreciation for New Zealand's diverse history since using Online Cenotaph.

The research shows that Online Cenotaph has become more than a digital memorial; it is a dynamic space where individuals can connect, contribute, and engage with New Zealand's military history. "I think it’s a gem. There’s nothing else quite like it in New Zealand," shared Participant 6, reflecting on the platform's unique ability to connect to hundreds of thousands of military personnel records with the touch of a button. It acts as an extension of the physical War Memorial, it's a living, breathing memorial where history is continually written, re-written, and appreciated.

At the heart of Online Cenotaph's success is its ability to bring people together. This not only helps to pay tribute to those who served but also strengthens community ties, helping to ensure that everyone can find a sense of meaning. As Participant 12 stated “When I discovered it (Online Cenotaph), I was thrilled with its potential as a shared resource and for crowdsourcing of community memories related to these wars…I've told loads of people about it and I've shared the link with families, friends and colleagues.”

This research also sheds light on how important Online Cenotaph and similar digital spaces can be, not just for museums and the GLAM sector, but also for their role in sparking wider conversations about how digital heritage can invite more public involvement and make a positive difference. It really shows how these digital spaces can bring us closer by letting us all take part in shaping and sharing our collective stories.