Innovating University and Research Archives. Challenges Towards Sustainability

The International Council on Archives Section on University and Research Institution Archives (ICA-SUV) and the Archivists Conference of the Spanish Universities (CAU – CRUE) are pleased to announce their annual conference for 2025.The conference, titled Innovating University and Research Archives. Challenges Towards Sustainability, will be held at the University Autonomous of Barcelona in Barcelona, Catalonia (Spain), 27-28 October, 2025. This will be an in-person conference. 

This conference presents an opportunity for reflective discussion about many aspects around:

1. Alignment of University Archives with the SDGs and Compliance with the 2030 Agenda

The 2030 Agenda is a United Nations action plan for the people, the planet, and prosperity. The Agenda sets out 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with 169 targets aimed at achieving a balanced approach to three dimensions of sustainable development: the economic, social, and environmental spheres. The contribution of University and Research Institutions Archives in reaching these goals is crucial. Wellbeing, Education and Quality, Reduce Inequalities, Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, Responsible Consumption and Production, Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions are among those objectives where the impact of the work of archivists can be most significant.

We welcome proposals which:

•       Use practical examples to demonstrate how university and research institution archives can support the SDGs.

•       Focus on specific goals such as Good Health and Well-being or Reduced Inequalities to show how records and archives are vital in contributing to success in these areas.

•       Explore how archivists can work in partnership with others to support their institution and society to achieve these goals.

2. Archives in the Face of the Climate Emergency: Prevention and Actions

The consequences of climate change are increasingly influencing our daily lives, with effects becoming more catastrophic for people and their environment. Archives and documentary heritage, due to their special structural vulnerability within the institutions to which they belong, have been directly affected in recent years by floods, storms, fires, and other disasters arising from the climate emergency. This affects history, memory, culture, and the identity of communities, as well as the fulfilment of citizens’ rights and obligations by public administrations, alongside the enforcement of transparency and accountability. The adaptation of our services may be crucial in the protection of both people and heritage.

We welcome proposals which explore some of the following topics:

•    How archivists can ensure they are prepared for potential disasters and emergencies, particularly in a university setting

•    What archive services can do to limit the harm they do to the environment and to support sustainability

•    The importance of university and research institution archives in providing evidence of climate change and supplying data which can help society to plan for a better future

3. Archives: Experiences of Adaptation and Innovation

Digital transformation and the move to digital governance in institutions have posed a challenge for archives and professionals in the area of document and record management. Maintaining the role of records and archives as a core element which reaches across increasingly digitised management structures has been one of the most significant goals of the century. Colleagues have successfully adapted to innovations and become more visible, offering society and its organisations an essential and innovative service in document and records management, while also becoming a reference in the promotion of their historical heritage.

We welcome proposals that discuss:

•       Innovative approaches to the management of archives and records in digital systems

•       Successful collaboration with other professionals, such as information technologists and others

•       Effective advocacy for the importance of consulting archivists when designing and running digital governance and management systems

In these meetings, colleagues noted that professional conversations are important to furthering global and local understanding of innovating University and Research Archives and challenges towards the sustainability.

Papers and presentations formats: 

  • Lightning Talks: Rapid and concise presentations; 10 minutes long 
  • Papers: Research/scholarly papers; 20 minutes long; can be analytical, descriptive, or reflective 
  • Experiences: A 15-minute presentation related to subtopic 3.
  • Panel Discussion: Composed of 3 speakers, plus a facilitator, with varied perspectives discussing a similar topic; indicate length of time requested 
  • Posters: Presentation of research work, a project, an idea, or any other type of work in poster format, which participants of the ICA-SUV and the CAU Conference can view in a dedicated space at the conference venue. Those presenting a poster should be present during the presentation session to provide explanations and answer questions related to the poster.
  • Wild Card : Submit your own idea or format and indicate length of time requested

Please submit to Caroline Brown, ICA-SUV Chair, at c.z.brown@dundee.ac.uk an abstract of 250-300 words accompanied by a bibliography of at least two titles, which will not count towards the 250-word minimum plus the following information:

  • Title of paper or presentation
  • Presentation format
  • Name(s) of speaker(s)
  • Job title(s) and institution(s)
  • Postal address and email address
  • Short bio for each speaker (150-200 words) 

You can send your proposal until February 14th.