An archives and records management
research network (ARMReN) for the UK
Funded by the Arts and Humanities Research
Council (AHRC)
Dr Elizabeth Shepherd
School of Library, Archive and Information Studies
University College London
e.shepherd@ucl.ac.uk
Archives and Records Management Research
Network (ARMReN)
What is 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)
Archives and Records Management Research
Network (ARMReN)
What is ARMReN doing?
• created a website, including information resources:
http://www.ucl.ac.uk/slais/research/armren/
• organised three one-day research workshops: Appraisal
and collecting; Description; Access and impact
• run a short series of ‘Archives and History’ seminars at the
Institute of Historical Research, University of London
• disseminate results through conference papers and a
journal article
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
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’
Framework for sustainability in research
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A shared understanding
Setting strategic research priorities
Funding streams
Critical mass
Research collaboration
Identifying gaps and building depth
Improved dissemination
An archives and records management
research network (ARMReN) for the UK
See the web site at:
http://www.ucl.ac.uk/slais/research/armren/
Dr Elizabeth Shepherd
e.shepherd@ucl.ac.uk