Please see below for updates from the National Archives March 2023 Newsletter.
National news
DCDC Conference – call for papers
The pandemic has allowed a radical reimagining of how we work in the GLAMA sector (Galleries, Libraries, Archives, Museums and Academia). The way we collaborate and engage with our communities, as well as the skills and tools we use, have all changed substantially. The National Archives, The British Library and Jisc are pleased to announce that the Call For Papers for DCDC23 is now open. After two years of online-only conferences, DCDC23 returns both in-person and online from 11 to 13 July at Durham University.
Find out more and submit your proposal by 31 March 2023
Inclusion resources
Have you seen the new inclusion hub that we recently launched on our website? The hub introduces inclusion, homing in on what exactly inclusive practice is and why inclusive practice is important for archives. These webpages also provide a collection of resources that features a risk assessment, a series of wellbeing and inclusive language videos, and inclusive artwork for your service to use. In addition, you can also uncover our series of three case studies to find out what archives around the country have been doing to make their services more inclusive.
DROID survey
We have put together a survey to find out who uses DROID (the file format identification tool). We’d like to know how you use DROID and how we can improve DROID for our current and future users. Your feedback will be much appreciated as it will help us to develop and improve the tool.
Training provider announced for the Level 7 Archivist apprenticeship
Find out more about WAES and the apprentice scheme
Accessions to Repositories Survey update
Every year we invite archive services to participate in the Accessions to Repositories Survey. Our analysis of accessions data helps inform many areas of our work including sales monitoring and work relating to digital capacity building in the sector. Thank you to all who sent their returns for 2022, we are now working through the data, but the 2021 report is available to read and the 2021 accessions data is now published by topic!
Check out the 2021 analysis report to explore trends in collecting
National events
Impact webinar – Sheffield Archives’ ‘Excavate Where you Stand’ project
31 March I Online
This seminar will explore developing creative partnerships by focusing on Sheffield City Archives’ ‘Excavate Where you Stand’ project. Sheffield-based writer and educator Désirée Reynolds launched the project last year, whilst working at the archive as their Writer in Residence. The project explores stories of Black and marginalised people held in the city’s archives. Désirée and archivist Cheryl Bailey will discuss their partnership, their experience of discovering Black and marginalised voices and the impact this has had on the archive, the city’s historical narrative, and individuals and communities who have seen their histories elevated for the first time. This seminar will be of interest to people looking to explore creative partnerships and increase the impact of marginalised voices in archives.
Find out more and register to attend this impact seminar
ARA’s 2023 conference returns to Belfast
The 2022 conference brought a professional community together in person for the first time since the pandemic, and, building on that experience, the 2023 gathering will serve and strengthen the recordkeeping community – the theme will be ‘Communities’. Over three days there will be talks about communities of users, stakeholders, colleagues and collaborators. It is an opportunity to revisit and rebuild relationships and connections, and to address issues prevalent in the sector.
Museum Expandment North West 