Call for papers for ARA Conference 2022

Annual Conference:  31st August - 2nd September 2022, Chester, UK

Call for Papers: ‘Facing Forward: Post-pandemic recordkeeping - change, challenge, choice’

The Archives and Records Association UK & Ireland invites proposals for its 2022 Conference to be held in Chester between 31 August - 2 September 2022  

The Coronavirus pandemic is not yet behind us, but at our first in-person conference since 2019 we hope to use the opportunity to take stock, learn from the last few years, and shine a light on the path forward. What has changed? What should have changed, but hasn’t? How have the changed relationships between recordkeepers, our workplaces, our collections and our communities brought about by the pandemic had a lasting impact. What will happen next?

The challenge to all of us to continue to push and to do better at our work on equity, diversity and inclusion remains. Where can we learn from good work and from meaningful experience; where have things stood still or got worse, and how can we turn this round? Around the globe many projects and initiatives are underway, where will this work take us and where else should we be going?

And how about us, the recordkeepers? How have we fared as the wider working population has switched more and more to digital – are we looking at a recordkeeping nightmare in the making? What about our own digital and hybrid outputs? How are the conservators amongst us meeting the current challenges and how have we continued our physical work? And what about ourselves as professionals, sometimes working as part of a small team or working alone? How have we taken care of ourselves, especially at times when roles could be under threat?

These questions are only suggestive of potential areas that could be included, but the programme is really shaped by you! What would you like to say at #ARA2022 ?

Sessions will encompass the main areas of archives and records, conservation, digital preservation and information governance using the key themes of Change, Challenge, and Choice. We need to consider all our work at a time of great change. We need to help each other and our profession meet the challenges of today and the future. We need to work together to make the right choices. We especially wish to see proposals which can be aligned with these key themes.

PROPOSALS

As in previous years, we aim to accommodate different types of presentation. Some suggested formats are given below, but we are happy to consider alternatives. When you submit your proposal please give details of the format you would prefer or contact us for an informal discussion conference@archives.org.uk  

·        Individual contributions – presentations of 20 minutes

·        Panel sessions – up to three speakers presenting related papers on a specific theme or topic

·        ‘30 minute makeover’ – standalone tutorials or smaller workshops

·        ‘60 minute workshops’ – more time for practical demonstrations

·        Posters – an opportunity to highlight your contribution in our poster session

Please remember:

·        We aim to devise a coherent programme, so please connect your proposal to the theme

·        We would like proposals that will stimulate debate

·        We want diverse panels of speakers. If you have particular requirements (e.g. accessibility, interpretation, etc.) please let us know and we will make every effort to accommodate you.

Anyone who has experience or expertise in working with records can submit a paper. Contributions are welcomed from across the UK and Ireland, and from colleagues in the global recordkeeping community. And of course we welcome submissions from other sectors too.

HOW DO I SUBMIT A PROPOSAL?

Please use this link to make a submission.

If you require assistance please contact conference@archives.org.uk

KEY DATES

The deadline for submissions is Friday 14th January 2022

Notification of invitations to speak are expected to be confirmed in the week beginning 28th February 2022

The programme will be published shortly after that date and conference registration will open.

EXPENSES

All speakers will receive free conference registration for the day on which they are presenting. We are unable to pay accommodation costs, but speakers will be reimbursed travel expenses up to a maximum of £100.

OUR CONFERENCE VENUE

Our venue for 2022 will be the Crowne Plaza Hotel, located in the centre of the historic city of Chester and a short walk from the railway station. The hotel was built in 1989 and all of the conference facilities are on a single floor with level access. There is also a health club onsite.