Many thanks to all the delegates who joined us at the Discovering Collections, Discovering Communities Conference. Videos from the event will be available soon.
We are now planning the 2015 Conference. Sign up to our mailing list if you wish to be kept up-to-date with news on next year’s conference.
29-30 October – Library of Birmingham
Forging collection-based collaboration between archives, museums and academia
A collaborative conference between The National Archives and Research Libraries UK, in partnership with The Library of Birmingham, Cadbury Research Library, University of Birmingham and Arts Council England.
This conference follows on from the success and popularity of ‘Enhancing Impact, Inspiring Excellence: collaborative approaches between archives and universities’ held at The University of Birmingham in September 2013.
This year’s conference will explore the ‘discoverability’ of collections across different formats, institutions and professions. It will investigate the potential collections have for engaging with a range of communities, whether academic, socio-economic, or demographic.
Conference Brief
The last decade has witnessed the unprecedented development of partnerships and collaborative working across the heritage and cultural sectors. It has also seen universities and researchers refocus on the social, political and economic ‘impact’ of research. This has enabled greater opportunities for wider collaborative working between universities, academics and the wider heritage sector.
Whilst teaching and research partnerships are relatively well charted, less is known of how these collaborative efforts can transform our knowledge of collections and their ultimate presentation to wider society. This conference will explore inter-disciplinary, cross-sector approaches to developing and widening access to collections (their ‘discoverability’) through partnership working.
Further details
This year’s conference will be spread across two days, 29 and 30 October. The first day will explore the possibilities and methodologies of collection-based collaboration between archives, museums and universities, and is open to all those working across the heritage, cultural and academic sectors. The day will consist of a series of 20 minute presentations, key note speeches, open discussions, and networking opportunities.
Day two will consist on a series of focused workshops and round-table discussions hosted and delivered by individual interest groups. Workshops will focus upon the technical possibilities of discoverability and cross-collection collaboration and will be tailored to specific sector needs.
Fees and charges
There is no attendance fee for this conference although registration is required (to be announced). Conference delegates are required to fund their travel and accommodation. Refreshments and lunch will be provided on both days courtesy of RLUK.
A charge applies to attend the (optional) conference meal and networking event on the evening of 29 October (evening of day 1) to be held at the Library. Details and costs of the evening reception will be released at registration.
Photography disclaimer
Please be advised that photography and filming will take place at this event. The footage will be used by RLUK and The National Archives in future promotional material and publications.
Attendance at the Discovering Collections, Discovering Communities conference constitutes the registrant’s consent for RLUK and The National Archives to photograph/film and use their image and likeness without further notification