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Research in archives and records management: a UK perspective

Research in archives and records management: a UK perspective. Dr Elizabeth Shepherd e.shepherd@ucl.ac.uk. Practice versus research. Terry Cook (University of Manitoba, Canada) : discipline v profession theory v practice education v training

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Research in archives and records management: a UK perspective

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  1. Research in archives and records management: a UK perspective Dr Elizabeth Shepherd e.shepherd@ucl.ac.uk

  2. Practice versus research Terry Cook (University of Manitoba, Canada): • discipline v profession • theory v practice • education v training • new digital recordkeeping approaches v traditional cultural heritage priorities Sarah McNicol quoting Booth: • ‘research-practice gap’

  3. The role of research • builds theories and models as frameworks for practice • develops knowledge base, understanding of profession’s ethos and societal role • promotes critical enquiry and analysis, allows sophisticated articulation of concepts • facilitates standardisation, planning & evaluation • examines policy development & execution • practitioner research

  4. Framework for sustainability in research • A shared understanding • Setting strategic research priorities • Funding streams • Critical mass • Research collaboration • Identifying gaps and building depth • Improved dissemination

  5. How does research fit into graduate education for archivists and records managers? Professional qualifications: • develop professional skills and knowledge • underpinned by history and theory • critical enquiry • Masters thesis

  6. Mapping the Research Landscape(British Academy research grant) Aimed to improve the quality and quantity of academic research in archives and records management by creating a map of the research landscape for the discipline in the UK. Research objectives: • Identify research projects in the discipline in the UK, 1995-2006 • Identify areas of professional practice with research potential • Assess areas of weakness & success • Propose future research priorities as the basis for a UK research agenda

  7. Archives and Records Management Research Network (ARMReN)Funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), 2006-2007 What was ARMReN for? • help develop research in the discipline of archives and records management • link academics in archives and records management with researchers who use archives and professionals who manage records • collect and disseminate information about research • foster the development of new academic researchers in the discipline • act as a central point for the exchange of ideas • encourage new collaborative partnerships (UK, Europe, internationally)

  8. Archives and Records Management Research Network (ARMReN) What did ARMReN do? • created a website and information resource <http://www.slais.ucl.ac.uk/research-ARMReN> • organised three one-day research workshops: Appraisal and collecting; Description;Access and impact • ran three ‘Archives and History’ evening seminars at the Institute of Historical Research, University of London • disseminate results through conference papers, poster and a journal article

  9. Archives and Records Management Research Network (ARMReN) results • Appraisal and collection; Description; Access and impact • Theoretical and practitioner-focused topics • Anthropology, museums, archives and records • UK, Canada, the Netherlands, Ireland, Norway • extensive discussion alongside formal papers • ‘a very good insight into the most recent research’

  10. Archives and Records Management Research Network (ARMReN) results Archives and history seminars, IHR • Professor Roger Kain, CBE, University of Exeter: “The mapping of English towns, 1700-1850: a locally oriented record” • Else Churchill, Society of Genealogists: “Challenges and new directions in genealogical research” • Caroline Williams, The National Archives: “Re-defining the role of research for The National Archives”

  11. FARMER (Forum for Archives and Records Management Education and Research) targets http://www.ucl.ac.uk/slais/research/armren/ • Research meeting January 2008, Eric Ketelaar spoke • UK-wide doctoral group for ARM students • Second PhDs conference held May 2008 • Society of Archivists to be lobbied about research policy statement • Single virtual place, a shared information resource, for research in ARM • Research framework to be developed

  12. FARMER research framework for the archives and records management discipline • Broad purpose of research activity: Blue sky, Strategic, Applied • Characteristics of each • What kinds of questions does it ask? • Who does it? • Mapping of existing UK archives and records management research projects and doctoral research

  13. Eric Ketelaar’s Research Agenda for the Netherlands • Foundations (core characteristics of records and archives, recordness, ethics, role of records in society) • Cross-sectoral concerns • Formation and management of recordkeeping systems (e-records systems, governance issues, FOI/DP) • Capture • Appraisal • Preservation • Arrangement, description, representation • Access and Use • Management of archival services and programmes

  14. Research in archives and records managementDr Elizabeth Shepherde.shepherd@ucl.ac.uk

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