Friday Lunchtime webinar: Planning Access to Digital Collections Using the Levels of Born-Digital Access

Speaker: Sharon McMeekin, Preserve Together

Online - Friday 27th February 2026 - 1.00pm to 1.30pm

Planning for the provision of access to digital archives can be intimidating and overwhelming. What forms should access take? What documentation is needed to support digital access? How do we ensure the security of digital records and data? The Levels of Born-Digital Access, developed by the Digital Library Federation’s Born-Digital Access Working Group, provides a clear and effective framework to help us answer these questions and more. This session will offer an overview of the Levels and how they can guide decision-making when planning access provision for born-digital and digitised archives content.

Webinar learning outcomes

By the end of the session, participants will be able to:

• Describe the five areas of the Levels of Born-Digital Access

• Understand key decisions to be made in relation to providing access to digital archives

• Use the Levels to plan basic access provision for digital archives

The webinar will conclude with a 15-minute Q&A segment, providing you with the opportunity to ask questions or seek clarification. 

The learning outcomes map to the following areas of ARA’s competency framework;

·         Developing self and others

·         Professional ethics and standards

·         Collections development

·         Information systems, records and data

·         Promoting and providing access to content onsite and online

·         Preserving born digital and digitised records and archives

·         Policies to support users and stakeholders

·         Activities to support users and stakeholders

Speaker:

Sharon McMeekin, Consultant, Preserve Together

https://www.preservetogether.com/about/

Sharon has worked in digital archives and preservation for nearly twenty years, starting as a digital archivist before spending more than a decade as Head of Workforce Development with the Digital Preservation Coalition. There she led the creation of resources such as the Novice to Know-How training courses and the Digital Asset Register Toolkit on behalf of The National Archives (UK), as well as the Digital Preservation Competency Framework. She is now a consultant and training lead with Preserve Together.

Booking and delegate fee: Free

The closing date for Eventbrite bookings is Wednesday 25th February 2026.  Joining instructions will be sent 24 hours before the start date.

Please book your place here before Wednesday 25th February 2026 by 2.00pm

Explore Our Archives Event with ARA Cymru at Chester Cathedral

In-person: Friday, 13th February 2026 from 1.00 pm to 4.00 pm

ARA members free to attend and non members £15 - Book your place here

Join ARA Cymru at Chester Cathedral and explore; connect with like-minded professionals; and enjoy tea & cake during this networking event.

Join ARA Cymru for an afternoon visit to Chester Cathedral, one of the most significant cultural centres in the UK. With origins dating back over 1,000 years, the Cathedral has stood as a place of worship, learning, and heritage through the Saxon, Norman, and medieval periods to the present day. Today, it remains an architectural and cultural landmark in the heart of Chester.

The Cathedral’s collections span three main areas: objects, library, and archive. Chester Cathedral’s Library holds over 5,000 volumes relating to the Cathedral, its clergy and community, the wider local area, and the study of theology. Together, these collections offer a rich insight into the Cathedral’s historical, religious, and civic significance.

This event will provide exclusive opportunities to explore both the Cathedral and the Library while also offering plenty of time to network and catch up with fellow archive and heritage professionals. We’ll end the afternoon with refreshments in the Cathedral café.

Itinerary:

1:00pm – Arrive at the West Front where we’ll be divided into two groups
1:00–2:00pm – Group 1: Library visit | Group 2: Cathedral tour
2:00–3:00pm – Group 2: Library visit | Group 1: Cathedral tour
3:00–4:00pm – Refreshments and time for a catch-up with all attendees

** Any dietary requirements please get in touch with ARA Cymru’s Training and Event Officer by 30th January, 2026: ARAW.TO1@archives.org.uk

Using a Digital Asset Register to support digital preservation planning and advocacy

Trainer: Simon Wilson

Online - Tuesday 10th February 2026 – 10:00-11:30am

ARA South East and London is hosting two online training events delivered by Simon Wilson. Attendees are welcome to attend either session independently or join both.

A digital asset register can be a key tool to manage both digitised and born-digital material.

With some appropriate adaptations it can also be a key tool in monitoring and tracking tasks and activities relating to the digital assets in your care.

• 10.00 Welcome

• 10.05 Intellectual control

• 10:10 Using a digital asset register

• 10:45 Talking about digital preservation with ICT colleagues

• 11:05 Next steps

• 11:10 Q&A

• 11:30 Close

The session is designed to encourage and inspire attendees to use a digital asset register to secure intellectual control and to proactively use it as the basis for monitoring and planning future tasks and activities. There is no assumed knowledge or pre-requisite for this session. The main session will be recorded but not the Q&A session to encourage questions and open discussion.

Participants will learn:

• The importance of intellectual control as a key first step in your digital preservation activities

• How to use a digital asset register and adapting it to meet your organisation’s specific needs and scenarios

• How to use your digital asset register to monitor and plan activities and tasks relating to digitised and born-digital material in your collections

• How to use your digital asset register to engage ICT colleagues about your current and future requirements including the limitations of cloud collaboration platforms

Programme

10.00

Welcome

10.05 – 10:10

Intellectual control

What it is and how it might support future activities

10:10 – 10:45

Using a digital asset register

What it is; how to adapt a digital asset register to meet your specific needs and requirements

10:45 – 11:05

Talking about digital preservation with ICT colleagues

With ICT being key stakeholders, looking at how we use the data from the DAR and the limitations of cloud collaboration platforms

11:05 – 11:10

Next steps

Next steps and pointers to key resources

11:10 – 11:30

Q&A

Simon Wilson is a registered archivist with over 30 years of experience of working across the Higher Education, local government and museum sectors.  As an Archives Consultant he has supported individuals and organisations to take their first steps to manage digital archives bringing a practical perspective to these particular challenges and opportunities.

Booking and delegate fee:          £10 for ARA members. £20 non-members

Please book your place before Tuesday 3rd February 2026.

If you have any further questions about this event, please get in touch with the South East and London region at: arasoutheastandlondon@archives.org.uk

Dealing with imposter phenomenon

Trainer: Sarah Wickham, FARA

Training will be delivered on:

Online - Thursday 29th January 2026 - 9.30am to 12.30pm

Feeling like a fraud? You’re not alone—and you’re not an imposter. Many archivists, conservators and records managers experience self-doubt at some point in their working life. This workshop will offer a range of different evidence-based approaches to help manage feelings of self-doubt and imposter phenomenon, and increase personal resilience.

Overview of course content 

• What are self-doubt and “imposter phenomenon”?

• Systemic and environmental influences

• Tools and techniques

Course learning outcomes 

• Understand the experience of “imposter phenomenon” and where it comes from

• Investigate practical strategies for managing self-doubt at work

• Build confidence and resilience

Delivery 

This half-day course (3.5 hours) will be delivered online via Zoom.

The course will be very interactive, with individual and small group activities.  Because of the nature of content, confidentiality will be required, and the training will not be recorded. You do not have to share anything you are not comfortable with, but bear in mind you will be asked to reflect on your own experience of imposter feelings.

The learning outcomes map to the following areas of ARA’s competency framework; 

• Working with people

• Developing self and others

• Performance and impact

About our trainer: Sarah Wickham FARA is a highly experienced senior professional archivist and information manager. She is an accredited coach, with extensive experience across all areas of the UK archive and information management sector. Sarah brings her experience of working with numerous people and organisations through consultancy and mentoring, and her role as apprenticeship tutor.

Booking and delegate fee:  £40 for ARA members, £80 corporate members, £100 non-members

Please book your place here by Tuesday 27th January 2026

Joining instructions will be sent 24 hours before the start date.

Join us on Wednesday 28 January at midday for a 45 minute webinar and Q&A on submitting a paper for our 2026 conference.

The webinar will include:

• Introduction to the conference committee from our conference Chair (Annie Starkey)

• Our conference programme team (Katie Proctor and Carly Randall) will give short presentations on what they are hoping to see in relation to our 2026 theme

• Our conference organiser (Madalina Marincas from Opening Doors and Venues) will talk through the three format types (Individual Presentation, Panel, Workshop) and give an overview of the submission process

This will be followed by plenty of time for Q&A

You can book your free place for the webinar here.

If you can’t make the event you can watch a step by step video tutorial of how to log into and submit via the EventsAir portal here.

Using your DPC-RAM assessment to support digital preservation planning and advocacy

Trainer: Simon Wilson

Online - Tuesday 27th January 2026 – 10:00-11:30am

ARA South East and London is hosting two online training events delivered by Simon Wilson. Attendees are welcome to attend either session independently or join both.

The DPC-RAM self-assessment is a key tool to measure and benchmark your organisation’s digital preservation capabilities. This session will look at how to use this key tool as the basis for constructing a three year one page digital preservation plan and for wider advocacy purposes.

• 10.00 Welcome

• 10.05 Why DPC-RAM

• 10:10 Using DPC-RAM to talk about digital preservation

• 10:25 Creating a one page 3 year plan from your DPC-RAM

• 10:45 Building a case for digital preservation

• 11:05 Next steps

• 11:10 Q&A

• 11:30 Close

The session is designed to encourage and inspire attendees to use their DPC-RAM assessment to shape future activities. Attendees who have undertaken their DPC-RAM assessment will get most from the session, but this is not a pre-requisite.  The main session will be recorded but not the Q&A to encourage questions and open discussion.

Participants will learn:

• How to use the DPC-RAM self-assessment tool to actively support your digital preservation capabilities and activities

• How to use your DPC-RAM visualisation to initiate a conversation about digital preservation

• How to use the current and target levels of the DPC-RAM to build a one page three year plan

• How to align digital preservation needs with the wider organisational priorities

Programme

10.00

Welcome 

10.05 – 10:10

Why DPC-RAM

Why we’re using DPC-RAM rather than NDSA benchmarking tool

10:10 – 10:25

Using DPC-RAM to talk about digital preservation

Using the DPC-RAM visualisation as basis for advocacy with colleagues

10:25 – 10:45

Creating a one page 3 year plan from your DPC-RAM

Walk through the process of taking your DPC-RAM and converting it to a one page 3 year plan [focussing on sections A to F]

10:45 – 11:05

Building a case for digital preservation

Looking at the language, key stakeholders, selling the vision and aligning digital preservation with wider organisational priorities

11:05 – 11:10

Next steps

Next steps and pointers to key resources

11:10 – 11:30

Q&A

Simon Wilson is a registered archivist with over 30 years of experience of working across the Higher Education, local government and museum sectors.  As an Archives Consultant he has supported individuals and organisations to take their first steps to manage digital archives bringing a practical perspective to these particular challenges and opportunities.

Booking and delegate fee:          £10 for ARA members. £20 non-members

Please book your place before Tuesday 20th January 2026.

If you have any further questions about this event, please get in touch with the South East and London region at: arasoutheastandlondon@archives.org.uk

Friday Lunchtime CPD webinar: Reminiscence Café’s: Working with People Living with Dementia

Speakers: Kate Bevan RMARA Cataloguing Team Leader, Historic England Archive and Gary Winter, Engagement and Content Officer, Historic England Archive

Online - Friday 23rd January 2026 - 1.00pm to 1.30pm

Description:  Over the past two years, staff from HE Archive’s Engagement and Projects Team have developed engagement and outreach work with groups of people living with dementia. Taking part in regular memory cafes with local groups has enabled us to engage with different people and use the images from our photographic collections to aid in reminiscence sessions.

This talk will look at how we developed the ideas for these sessions, the training we undertook, and the content of the sessions. There’ll also be a chance to hear some feedback about the impact of this work, and what lessons we have learnt.

We will also look at some of the issues we encountered when running memory café sessions, and how we have developed procedures to help with these to ensure that staff feel better equipped in working with people living with dementia. Please be aware that this part of the talk includes reference to dealing with inappropriate behaviour that may cause distress.

Booking and delegate fee: Free

The closing date for Eventbrite bookings is Wednesday 21st January 2026.  Joining instructions will be sent 24 hours before the start date.

Please book your place here before Wednesday 21st January 2026 by 2.00pm

Handled with Care | Delio â Gofal

Speakers: as listed below

Join ARA Cymru/Wales online to explore innovative archive preservation and conservation carried out across Wales with leading professionals.

Delio â Gofal - Digwyddiad Cadwraeth Ar-lein

12 Rhagfyr 2025

1:30yh-3:30yh

Ar-lein (Microsoft Teams)

Ymunwch â ARA Cymru am brynhawn ysbrydoledig yn archwilio'r gwaith cadwraeth a diogelu diweddaraf sy'n digwydd ledled Cymru. Mae'r digwyddiad ar-lein hwn yn dod â phrif arbenigwyr at ei gilydd, y rhai sy'n diogelu ein hetifeddiaeth ddogfennol trwy dechnegau arloesol, prosiectau cydweithredol, ac ymarfer ymarferol.

Rydym yn falch iawn o groesawu panel o siaradwyr sy'n cynrychioli amrywiaeth eang o sefydliadau a meysydd arbenigol:

• ·Shirley Jones, Archifau Gorllewin Swydd Efrog, a Chadeirydd Grŵp Cadwraeth a Chadwedigaeth ARA, yn cyflwyno Grŵp Cadwraeth a Chadwedigaeth ARA

• Rowena Doughty, cadwraethydd yn Archifau Gwynedd, yn cyflwyno: Gwneud newidiadau cynaliadwy: Dod o hyd i ddeunydd y gellir eu hailddefnyddio i ddisodli blotwyr wrth olchi papur gan ddefnyddio byrddau sugno

• Mark Allen, cadwraethydd yn Archifau Gogledd Ddwyrain Cymru, yn siarad am “Cyfnod prysur yn y stiwdio cadwraeth”

• Cadwraethydd Jiwon Jeong yn cyflwyno ar eu gwaith prosiect cadwraeth diweddar yn Archifau Gogledd Ddwyrain Cymru

• Rhiannon Griffiths, Archifau Gwent, yn cyflwyno: “Tu Hwnt i'r Silffoedd - Sut Wnaethom Ni Ail-bwrpasu Ystafelloedd i Gynyddu Effaith”

• Lydia Stirling, Archifau Morgannwg, yn siarad am waith cadwraeth ar gasgliad Castell Caerdydd

• Julian Evans, cadwraethydd yn Llyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru, yn cyflwyno: “Hud a chrefft llyfrau”

Trwy astudiaethau achos, diweddariadau prosiect, a thrafodaethau am yr heriau sy’n codi, bydd y digwyddiad yn tynnu sylw at amrywiaeth a arloesedd tirwedd gofal archifau Cymru.

Pwy ddylai fynychu?

P'un a ydych yn gadwraethydd, archifydd, myfyriwr, neu dim ond â diddordeb mewn cadwraeth, mae'r sesiwn hon yn cynnig cyfle gwerthfawr i ddysgu, cysylltu, a chael eich ysbrydoli.

Am ddim i aelodau ARA. £10 i'r rhai nad ydynt yn aelodau

.....................................................................................

Handled with Care - Online Conservation Event
12 December 2025

1:30pm–3:30pm

Online (Microsoft Teams)

Join ARA Cymru/Wales for an inspiring afternoon exploring the latest archive preservation and conservation work taking place across Wales. This online event brings together leading professionals who are safeguarding our documentary heritage through innovative techniques, collaborative projects, and hands-on practice.

We are delighted to welcome a panel of speakers representing a wide range of organisations and specialisms:

• Introducing ARA’s Preservation and Conservation Group is Shirley Jones, Chair of the ARA P&C Group , West Yorkshire Archives

• Rowena Doughty, conservator at Gwynedd Archives will present: Making Sustainable changes: Finding a re-usable material to replace blotters when washing paper using the suction table

• Mark Allen, conservator North East Wales Archives will talk about “A busy time in the conservation studio”

• Conservator Jiwon Jeong will present on their recent conservation project work at the North East Wales Archives

• Rhiannon Griffiths, Gwent Archives will present: “Beyond the Shelves - How We Repurposed Rooms for Greater Impact”

• Lydia Stirling, Glamorgan Archives, will talk about Conservation work on the Cardiff Castle collection

• Julian Evans, conservator National Library of Wales, will present: “Witchcraft and bookcraft"

Through case studies, project updates, and discussions on emerging challenges, the event will highlight the diversity and innovation within Wales’s archive conservation landscape.

Who should attend?

Whether you’re a conservator, archivist, student, or simply passionate about preservation, this session offers a valuable opportunity to learn, connect, and be inspired.

Free for ARA members £10 for non-members

Exceptions to copyright for archives: How can you use archival collections without seeking permission

Trainer: Naomi Korn Associates

Online - Monday 8th December 2025 - 12.00pm to 13.00pm

Webinar learning outcomes

• Understand the concept of the exceptions to copyright, and Fair Dealing as outlined within the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

• Identify the key exceptions to copyright relevant for archival collections.

• Plan next steps regarding the use of the exceptions to copyright within your archive service.

The webinar will conclude with a 10-minute Q&A segment, providing you with the opportunity to ask questions or seek clarification. 

The learning outcomes map to the following areas of ARA’s competency framework;.

• Managing risk and/or business continuity

• Understanding, interpreting and complying with legislation and/or regulation

• Appraisal, retention, selection and disposal of archives 

• Developing self and others

• Providing access to the content of records and archives onsite and online

Speaker:

Naomi Korn, Founder & CEO of Naomi Korn Associates, https://naomikorn.com/team_members/naomi-korn/

Naomi is a leading authority on copyright. She is currently undertaking a PHD at the University of Edinburgh, supervised by Professor Melissa Terras and Dr Smita Kheria, analysing the impact of Brexit on the management of copyright works for UK cultural heritage organisations.

Booking and delegate fee:

Individual ARA member £50. Institutional Affiliate Member £65. Non-member £99.

The closing date for Eventbrite bookings is Thursday 4th December 2025.  Joining instructions will be sent 24 hours before the start date.

If you have any questions about this event, please contact Chris Sheridan on chris.sheridan@archives.org.uk

ARA Ireland “Dear Cara-Friend”: Widening access to a key PRONI LGBTQ+ archive.

Online event

Dec 2 at 1pm GMT

Overview

Learn how engagement with the community helped widen access to this important archive.

Lorraine Bourke and Grace Gordon, from the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland (PRONI), will discuss one of PRONI’s key LGBTQ+ archives ‘The Cara-Friend Papers’. Cara-Friend has been supporting the LGBTQ+ community in Northern Ireland for over 50 years. This presentation will focus on letters sent to Cara-Friend in the 1970s and 1980s from people seeking advice, support and friendship. Lorraine and Grace will highlight how engagement with Belfast’s LGBTQ+ community helped their efforts to widen access to this important archive.

Lorraine Bourke has worked as Head of Private Records at PRONI for over 12 years. Lorraine leads a team responsible for appraising, cataloguing and encouraging access to a diverse range of privately deposited collections.

Grace Gordon is a graduate of the MA in Public History at Queen’s University Belfast and has been working at PRONI for the past 5 years. She has worked previously as a member of the PRONI’s Private Records team but now works in the archive’s Public Services section, managing PRONI’s communications, marketing and engagement output. In 2023, Grace managed the CollabArchive project at PRONI in partnership with Nerve Centre, a creative and digital media organisation.

Book your free place here

Lunchtime webinar: Empowering the cultural heritage community through Responsible AI training

Speaker: Dr Anna-Maria Sichani, BRAID Research Fellow, Research Associate in Digital Humanities, School of Advanced Study, University of London.

Online - Wednesday 26th November 2025 - 12.00pm to 13.00pm

AI is everywhere in cultural heritage today - from daily professional practices to policy discussions - and it is often met with a mix of excitement and concern. But how ready is the cultural heritage community to embark on this journey? In her BRAID fellowship, in partnership with The National Archives, Dr Anna-Maria Sichani explored the sector’s training needs for responsible AI adoption and developed a comprehensive digital skills training provision to empower informed, responsible, and ethical use of AI across the community. In this seminar, Anna-Maria will present her fellowship work, share insights from the outputs and TNA partnership, and open a discussion on how the cultural heritage sector can build capacity for responsible AI.

Please book your place here before Monday 24th November 2025 by 5.00pm

Friday Lunchtime webinar: Living Through a Cyber Attack: Pain, Positivity and Patience

Speaker: Louisa Blight, Head of Collections and Research, National Museum of the Royal Navy

Online - Friday 21st November 2025 - 1.00pm to 1.30pm

On Monday 9th December 2024 the National Museum of the Royal Navy became aware it was the victim of a ransomware attack. The attackers were able to use a combination of tools, scripts and malware to laterally move through the IT environment and gain credentials for access. The attack had an immediate and significant impact on the National Museum, affecting many of its key servers which housed many of the organisation’s main working files, systems and digital collections.

This is an opportunity to hear first-hand how the National Museum responded in the short and medium term to this major incident, including managing communications, morale and the long rebuild process. Join Louisa Blight, Head of Collections & Research who will give an overview of the incident and an insider’s perspective on the recovery journey, focussing particularly on the risks to collections within an incident like this and some key lessons learnt.

The webinar is free to attend. The closing date for Eventbrite bookings is Wednesday 19th November 2025. Joining instructions will be sent 24 hours before the start date.

Please book your place here before Wednesday 19th November 2025 by 5.00pm

Writing great text for exhibitions and display

Speaker: Steve Slack, Heritage Interpretation Consultant

Monday 17th November, 10.00am to 15.30pm, Online via Teams

Sitting down at your desk to write exhibition copy can be a daunting task. Join us for a one-day online workshop where we explore written text in the context of archive exhibitions and displays with an experienced curator and exhibition copy writer. The morning will cover some interpretation principles and theory while also looking at real-world examples of exhibition text from archives and other heritage settings. In the afternoon, we will have a go at writing some copy ourselves and sharing it with the group before hearing some useful tips for writing. Any copy you write on the day will remain within the group and won't be shared any further. This is an opportunity to have a go at writing panels and labels in a safe space. People often feel more confident about writing for the public afterwards.

Course Learning Outcomes

• Understanding interpretation principles and theory across different heritage settings

• Ability to critique exhibition panels and labels

• Understanding written text in the context of archive exhibitions and displays

• Ability to write exhibition label copies

The learning outcomes map to the following areas of ARA’s competency framework; 

• Developing self and others

• Developing specialist knowledge and skills

• Providing intellectual and physical access to, and retrieval of, archives

About our Trainer: Steve Slack is a interpretation consultant, helping heritage organisations to make their content accessible and relevant for visitors. He regularly writes and edits exhibition copy and has worked on over 100 exhibitions. He is author of Interpreting Heritage: a guide to planning and practice (Routledge, 2021) and is a Fellow of the Association for Heritage Interpretation.

Booking and delegate fee: £35 for ARA members, £45 for non-members

Please book your place here before Thursday 13th November.

Joining instructions will be sent on Friday 14th November.

Come join us on 12th November 2025 at 2:00 PM for ARA Section for New Professional's online event on job applications and interviews.

In this first of a two-part series, we will be joined by two brilliant speakers, Lee Seymour and Chris Sheridan, who will be sharing valuable tips and tricks for acing job applications and interviews: aka getting on (and climbing) the job ladder as a New Professional. If you're looking for your first Record Keeping job, or wishing to progress your career, then this is the webinar for you. 

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ara-sfnp-online-event-job-applications-and-interviews-tickets-1905900613039?aff=oddtdtcreator 

Lee Seymour is the Recruitment Director at both TFPL and Sue Hill Recruitment, who have specialised in recruiting for the Records Management, Archives, as well as Library and Information sectors, for the last 40 and 29 years, respectively. Lee has over twenty years experience in the sector, working with Records and Archives professionals at all levels to secure positions with clients across the UK.

Chris Sheridan is Head of Professional Standards and Development at ARA. He has 25 years of experience with a diverse range of professional membership organisations and Chartered Institutes, overseeing areas such as university programme accreditation, charterships and professional registration, career support, and continuing professional development. Chris draws on this extensive experience to help ARA members maximise their career opportunities.

We hope to see you then!

ARA SfNP Committee

Find us on...

BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/aranewprofs.bsky.social

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/archives-and-records-association-section-for-new-professionals/

Follow us on Facebook: https://www.fb.com/groups/ARAnwprofessionals/

Medical Archives – cataloguing and promoting access

Tuesday 11th November, 1pm-4pm, Thackray Museum of Medicine, Beckett Street, Leeds, LS9 7LN

(please note that this is an in-person event only, taking place in the Hopper Conference room, 1st floor)

Directions: The Thackray Museum of Medicine is situated next to St. James’s Hospital. It is a 15-minute bus ride from Leeds station. You can get to the museum on all of the following major bus routes from Leeds City Centre. Numbers: 16, 42, 49, 50 and 50A stop outside the museum.

The museum holds an onsite Pay and Display car park at the front of the museum. The Car Park tariffs are £1.50 per hour. The machines accept coin and card payment.

Alternative parking can also be found at St James’s Hospital multi-storey car park which is a short walk away from the museum. it is located next to the Leeds Cancer Centre building and is signposted as you enter the hospital site from Beckett Street.

Although this in-person event is being organised by the Northern Region, we welcome participants from all the ARA’s nations, regions and sections. (If numbers are limited, Northern Region members will be given preference)

Refreshments will be served on the day including tea, coffee and biscuits.

To book your place contact Robert Curphey by email:  robert.curphey@thackraymuseum.org

Programme

1pm Welcome and session introduction (Robert Curphey)

1.05 Dr Sarah Hayward, Historical Researcher and Heritage Consultant, ‘A Legacy of Care: An Inclusive Approach to the RHN Archives’

1.25 Louise Williams, Lothian Health Services Archive, ‘“Understanding Oor Mad History”: activism and histories of mental health’

1.45 Break

1.50 Anna Riggs, The Mulberry Bush, ‘Cataloguing the Cassel Hospital Archive’

2.10 Robert Curphey, Thackray Museum of Medicine, ‘Cataloguing the Thackray Museum Archive’

2.30 Break

2.35 Vicky Grindrod and Ronnie Walsh, West Yorkshire Archive Service, ‘Indexing Leeds General Infirmary Case Books’

2.55 Charlotte Endean, ITV, ‘Medical Videos at the ITV Archive’

3.15 Questions

3.35 Tour of the archives and stores (depending on numbers)

4pm Close

ARA ALES Lunchtime Seminar: "Reminiscence Workshops by Archives: Wigan & Leigh"

Speakers: Carmen Alvaro Gonzalez and Thomas McGrath

Online - Tuesday 4th November 2025 - 1.00pm to 2.00pm

Our speakers for this session are Thomas McGrath and Carmen Alvaro Gonzalez who will speak about “Reminiscence Workshops by Archives: Wigan & Leigh.” Their talk will focus on the reminiscence sessions delivered by Archives: Wigan & Leigh at care homes around the Wigan Borough. They will discuss their experiences working with residents who have dementia, the impact of history and reminiscence workshops on well-being, and the role archives can play within the community.  

During the session there will be the opportunity for questions and discussion with the speakers.  Please note that the event will be recorded, and the recording will be made available to ARA members only via the ARA website.

About our speakers:

• Thomas McGrath is a Customer Services Officer and lead on volunteering and placements at Archives: Wigan & Leigh. His background is in British social history, focusing in particular on everyday lived experiences.  

• Carmen Alvaro Gonzalez is a Customer Services Officer and lead on engagement and learning at Archives: Wigan & Leigh. Her background is in the visual arts and its application in the heritage sector.  

Since the latter end of 2023, Carmen and Thomas have been designing and delivering reminiscence workshops across the Wigan Borough as part of their outreach programme. 

Booking costs: ARA members £10 and non-members £15

The closing date for Eventbrite bookings is Friday 31st October 2025. Joining instructions will be sent 24 hours before the start date.

Please book your place here before Friday 31st October October 2025 by 5.00pm

The Preservation of Archival Photographic Materials

Speakers: Jenny Harvey and Saya Miles, Historic England Archive

Two sessions Thursday 23rd and Thursday 30th October 2025, 11.00am to 12.00pm, Online (Zoom)

One ticket will cover both sessions.

Schedule:

• Thursday 23rd October, 11:00 to 12:00

• Thursday 30th October, 11:00 to 12:00

Speakers:

• Jenny Harvey – Conservator, Historic England Archive

• Saya Miles – Lead Conservator, Historic England Archive

These webinars are aimed as introductory guidance for all levels of heritage custodians involved or responsible for the care of archival photographic materials. The programme will provide an introduction of photographic formats common to UK archive collections, discuss the degradation and agents of change which can affect photographic materials, and provide guidance on, and case studies of, the handling, storage, packaging, and preservation of photographic materials.

Attendees will have the opportunity to submit questions via email at preservationandconservation@archives.org.uk, or during the talks themselves.

Although this online event is being organised by the Section for Preservation and Conservation, we welcome participants from all the ARA’s nations, regions, and sections.

Fees and bookings:

The event is free but will have limited spaces. A single ticket booking will include access to both sessions. Book here by 16th October 2025.

The deadline for signing up to the event is Thursday 16th October at 12:00. Please note that the sessions will be recorded and provided to attendees.

‘Places, Plants and People’ an event from PPPAN and ARA ESG

Speakers: listed below

Event will be delivered:

Online - Wednesday 22nd October 2025

1.00pm to 2.30pm

The Places, Plants and People Archives Network and the ARA Environmental Sustainability Group are pleased to present a series of short talks and discussion exploring how archives, heritage, and research organisations are addressing sustainability and environmental engagement.

Speakers will share insights ranging from engaging multicultural communities and building sustainable practices in major institutions, to case studies on solar panel retrofitting and the archival legacies of environmental scientists.

Welcome to the Places, Plants and People Archives Network and ARA Environmental Sustainability Group

• Judy Ling Wong OBE (Black Environment Network) “Engaging with multicultural communities ”

• Guy Baxter (MERL/Reading University) "Case study: Retrofitting of solar panels to an archive store at the University of Reading"

• Catherine Ross (Met Office) "Sustainability at the Met Office"

• Alasdair Bachell (University of Dundee) "Hydrologist and Biologist - The Papers of William McClean and John Berry"

• Maureen Pennock (British Library) "Sustain@BL"

There will be time at the end for further questions, thoughts, discussion

Booking and delegate fee:  Free for members and non-members

Please book your place here before Friday 17th October 2025

Joining instructions will be sent 24 hours before the start date..

Friday Lunchtime webinar: “Losing the Wonder in the Digital Shift:  The Impact of Technology on Our Connection to Archival ‘Object-ness’”

Speaker: Ian Hicks, Collections Manager, Archives and Local Studies, Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre

Online - Friday 17th October 2025 - 1.00pm to 1.30pm

“Losing the Wonder in the Digital Shift:  The Impact of Technology on Our Connection to Archival ‘Object-ness’” Studies that explore the emotional impact of handling analogue archival material and the importance of touch in understanding archives are scarce. My research intended to address this issue by employing the theories of affect and appraisal to investigate the impact of the digital shift on the user’s experience. I introduced the term numinous to explore the emotions that handling analogue archives evokes in the user and identified four numinous themes: wonderment, fascination, empathy, and spatiotemporal. Additionally, I explored the potential loss of the numinous during user interaction with digital archives. I identified three distinct user groups: emotion-seeking behaviourists, information-seeking behaviourists and holistic-seeking behaviourists. My presentation presents the findings of my research and offers insight into this otherwise understudied area.

The webinar is free to attend. The closing date for Eventbrite bookings is Wednesday 15th October 2025. Joining instructions will be sent 24 hours before the start date.

Please book your place here before Wednesday 15th October 2025 by 5.00pm

AI and Copyright: Navigating Risks and Opportunities for Archivists

Speaker: Naomi Korn

Training will be delivered:

Online - Monday 13th October 2025

12.00pm to 1.00pm

This webinar explores how artificial intelligence (AI) intersects with copyright law and ethics as part of the use of AI within archival work and working with archival collections. Using practical examples, the intention of the webinar is to help archivists understand their responsibilities and rights when engaging with or supporting AI tools in the context of archival collections, digitisation, and user services. Providing an update about UK Government policy, it will evaluate the current landscape and present what the future might look like in terms of the UK’s copyright legislation. The session will include time for Q&A at the end.

Webinar learning outcomes

• By the end of the session, participants will be able to:

• Recognise how AI is being used in archival settings

• Assess how AI interacts with archival practices such as digitisation and access

• Identify key copyright risks and responsibilities under UK law

• Apply practical strategies to reduce legal and ethical risks

• Identify current Government policy and consider what might change in terms of AI and copyright.

• Plan next steps for their archival services

The webinar will conclude with a 10-minute Q&A segment, providing you with the opportunity to ask questions or seek clarification. 

The learning outcomes map to the following areas of ARA’s competency framework;

Data Protection Version:

• Developing self and others

• Understanding, interpreting and complying with legislation and regulation

• Using and managing information systems, records and data 

• Risk management

• Providing (intellectual) access to the content of records and archives onsite and online

Speaker:

Naomi Korn, Founder & CEO of Naomi Korn Associates, https://naomikorn.com/team_members/naomi-korn/

Naomi is a leading authority on orphan works. She is currently undertaking a PHD at the University of Edinburgh, supervised by Professor Melissa Terras and Dr Smita Kheria, analysing the impact of Brexit on the management of orphan works for UK cultural heritage organisations.

Booking and delegate fee: 

£50 for ARA individual members. £65 for ARA corporate members, £99 non-members

Please book your place here before Thursday 9th October 2025

Joining instructions will be sent 24 hours before the start date..

If you have any questions about this event, please contact Chris Sheridan on chris.sheridan@archives.org.uk

Whole records lifecycle: strategies for managing tomorrow’s archives today

Speakers: Noeleen Schenk & Siobhan King, Metataxis

Online - Thursday 25th September 2025 - 12.00noon to 1.00pm

The ability to manage your data and records effectively throughout the full lifecycle is crucial in supporting your service - not only to find and extract value from your information – but also to meet your regulatory and compliance obligations.

Join us for an insightful and interactive session where we delve into some of the challenges of governing records throughout their whole lifecycle from creation to archive.  We will delve into some of the key records management practice deficits which significantly impact the ability to effectively develop and manage an archive.  Our presenters will share some key learnings from recent experiences, revealing ways to define and successfully introduce a records management strategy, and how the both records and archives management need to be viewed holistically to ensure that organisations meet their compliance obligations. 

Webinar learning outcomes

• Understand the critical challenges of records and archives management and their dependencies

• Identify key initiatives to build a robust strategy for effective records creation and their eventual disposition

• How a clear records and archives management strategy can drive productivity, improve compliancy with current legislation and support information management improvement goals

The webinar will be a combination of our speakers sharing their knowledge and insights. Participants are encouraged to share their experiences to enhance our shared community, ask questions and seek clarification.

The learning outcomes map to areas of ARA’s competency framework, including:

• Creating and/or capturing and maintaining records 

• Understanding, interpreting and complying with legislation and/or regulation

• Using and managing information systems, records and data  

• Archival collections management 

• Appraising and disposing of records 

• Managing performance and impact

• Developing self and others

Booking and delegate fee:          £40 for ARA members, £60 for Institutional Affiliate members and £99 for non-members

Please book your place here before Tuesday 23rd September 2025 by 5.00pm

Joining instructions will be sent 24 hours before the start date.

Friday Lunchtime webinar: The Power of Statistics:  Launching the 2025 ARA Distance Enquiry Survey

Speakers: Lisa Snook, Chair, ARA Survey Group and Jonathan Gordon, Schaffer and Co.

Online - Friday 19th September 2025 - 1.00pm to 1.30pm

Between October and December this year users of UK and Irish archives will once more be asked for their views on the services we deliver, to tell us about themselves and to make suggestions on service improvement.  This is a fantastic opportunity for services to discover who our users are, and what they really think!

Join members of the ARA Survey Group, plus Jonathan Gordon from Schaffer and Co (who run the survey) to find out more.  We’ll present information about the survey, highlight case studies and examples of how the survey data has been used by participating services to advocate for or improve the service and there will be an opportunity to ask questions.

The webinar is free to attend. The closing date for Eventbrite bookings is Wednesday 17th September 2025. Joining instructions will be sent 24 hours before the start date.

Please book your place here before Wednesday 17th September 2025 by 5.00pm

Data Protection for Archives: Acquisition and Access

Speaker: Jess Pembroke

Online - Monday 8th September 2025 - 12.00noon to 1.00pm

Data Protection for Archives: Acquisition and Access
In this ARA and Naomi Korn Associates webinar, expert speaker Jess Pembroke explores the complex intersection of data protection law and archival practice. This session will guide attendees through the legal and ethical considerations of acquiring and providing access to archival materials that contain personal and special category data.

Whether you're managing digital collections, handling donor records, or navigating access requests, this webinar will equip you with the knowledge to make informed decisions that balance privacy, and public interest.

Webinar learning outcomes

• Understand the scope and application of UK GDPR, the Data Protection Act 2018, and the Data Use and Access Act 2025 in archival contexts.

• Identify personal and special category data in archival records, including photographs and correspondence.

• Understand the rules around handling and retention of personal data for archiving in the public interest.

• Confidence in making decisions about access including considerations of harm, identifiability, and public domain status.

• Implement safeguards for lawful, fair, and secure data handling in archives.

The webinar will conclude with a 10-minute Q&A segment, providing you with the opportunity to ask questions or seek clarification. 

The learning outcomes map to the following areas of ARA’s competency framework;

Data Protection Version:

• Developing self and others

• Understanding, interpreting and complying with legislation and regulation

• Using and managing information systems, records and data 

• Appraising and disposing of records

• Acquiring and accessioning of archives

• Providing (intellectual) access to the content of records and archives onsite and online

Speaker:

Jess Pembroke, Director of Information Law Services, https://naomikorn.com/team_members/jess-pembroke/

Booking and delegate fee:          £50 for ARA members, £65 for Institutional Affiliate members and £99 for non-members

Please book your place here before Thursday 4th September 2025 by 5.00pm

Joining instructions will be sent 24 hours before the start date.

Northern Region and International Section

Regional Archive bodies in the UK and Europe: three examples

Speakers: Pilar Campos Martinez, Dr Michael Ruprecht, David Mander

Monday 1st September, 14.00pm to 15.40pm, Online via Teams, Free to attend

The ARA’s Northern Region and International Section are pleased to be collaborating with regional archive bodies in Catalonia and Saxony to present a comparative session on regional groupings in three countries.

It is also an opportunity to promote contact between archivists, conservators and records managers within Europe. The ARA welcomes members from outside the UK – if you are interested, please follow this link https://www.archives.org.uk/international-hub

To the best of our belief, this is the first time a session on this topic has taken place in the UK. This is an online session and will be conducted in English. We anticipate participation from the UK, Spain and Germany. Please note, timing on the programme is given in UK summer time.

Places will be limited to 50 delegates. To book your place contact Paul Stebbing: PaulStebbing@barnsley.gov.uk

14.00 -  Introduction and welcome. David Mander, Chair ARA Northern Region

14.15 -  The Association of Catalan Archivists and Records Managers. Pilar Campos Martinez, Archivist at the Tax office of Barcelona and board member of the Association.

14.35 -  The Saxony Regional Section of the Association of German Archivists. Dr Michael Ruprecht, Director of Leipzig City Archives and Chairman of the Saxony Regional Section

15.05 -  The Archive & Records Association’s Northern Region. David Mander, Chair of the Northern Region and archive consultant

15.25 -  Questions and discussion on any follow up to the event

15.40 -  Meeting close

Partnership Working in Archives

Speakers: Listed below

Online - Friday 8th August 2025 - 11.00am to 12.30pm

At this event hosted by the ARA South East & London Region, three speakers will share their experiences of collaboration with other stakeholders. The talks will be followed by a Q&A session with our speakers and the ARA South East & London Region.

PROGRAMME

11:00 –  Welcome and Introduction

11:05 – Tilly Heydon, Wilhelmina Barns-Graham Trust

Tilly Heydon is the Archivist at the Wilhelmina Barns-Graham Trust in Edinburgh. She will present and reflect on the first year of Scottish Artists Archives Network (SAAN) which she co-founded in September 2024 with Sorcha Dallas, Custodian of the Alasdair Gray Archive and the Agnes Owens Archive in Glasgow. SAAN is an informal network for anyone involved with Scottish artists archives. Its focus is on collaboration, shared learning & support, community building and sector development.

11:25 – Caroline Gould, The Museum of English Rural Life

Caroline Gould, Principal Archivist, Museum of English Rural Life (MERL) and Special Collections, University of Reading will reflect on 2 current MERL partnerships. Her presentation will cover the experience of working with the Landscape Institute for the past 12 years and a recent partnership with the National Traction Engine Trust focusing on the success of the partnerships and lessons learnt.

11:45 – Deborah Tritton and Alice Howard, Kresen Kernow 

Deborah Tritton and Alice Howard will reflect on the current exhibition at Kresen Kernow - ‘Cornwall’s Communities: Archives of Lived Experiences’. This exhibition is a collaboration between Kresen Kernow, Cornwall Lived Experience Partnership and community members from across Cornwall. The presentation will explore how this collaboration developed, from shaping the project and getting funding to co-delivery and working with new people. 

12:05 – Q&A

12:15 – ARA South East & London Region AGM

The webinar is free to attend for ARA members and £5 for non-members.

Joining instructions will be sent 24 hours before the start date.

Please book your place here before Wednesday 6th August 2025 by 2.00pm

Friday Lunchtime CPD webinar: Archive Conservation Training Scheme Review

Speaker: Rachel Marsh, Archive Conservator and Organisational Development Consultant

Online - Friday 25th July 2025 - 1.00pm to 1.30pm

Join us for a special webinar exploring the future of archive conservation training.

In May 2025, the Archives and Records Association completed a comprehensive review of its Archive Conservation Training Scheme. 

The review was conducted by Rachel Marsh, a qualified Archive Conservator and experienced Organisational Development Consultant. In this webinar, Rachel will share key findings from the review and discuss potential next steps for strengthening and sustaining this vital career pathway to the archive conservation profession.

The webinar is free to attend. The closing date for Eventbrite bookings is Wednesday 23rd July 2025. Joining instructions will be sent 24 hours before the start date.

Please book your place here before Wednesday 23rd July 2025 by 5.00pm

Exceptions to copyright for archives: How can you use archival collections without seeking permission

Trainer: Naomi Korn Associates

Online - Monday 14th July 2025 - 12.00 to 13.00pm

Webinar learning outcomes

• Understand the concept of the exceptions to copyright, and Fair Dealing as outlined within the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

• Identify the key exceptions to copyright relevant for archival collections.

• Plan next steps regarding the use of the exceptions to copyright within your archive service.

The webinar will conclude with a 10-minute Q&A segment, providing you with the opportunity to ask questions or seek clarification. 

The learning outcomes map to the following areas of ARA’s competency framework;.

• Managing risk and/or business continuity

• Understanding, interpreting and complying with legislation and/or regulation

• Appraisal, retention, selection and disposal of archives 

• Developing self and others

• Providing access to the content of records and archives onsite and online

Speaker:

Naomi Korn, Founder & CEO of Naomi Korn Associates, https://naomikorn.com/team_members/naomi-korn/

Naomi is a leading authority on copyright. She is currently undertaking a PHD at the University of Edinburgh, supervised by Professor Melissa Terras and Dr Smita Kheria, analysing the impact of Brexit on the management of copyright works for UK cultural heritage organisations.

Booking and delegate fee:

Individual ARA member £50. Institutional Affiliate Member £65. Non-member £99.

The closing date for Eventbrite bookings is Thursday 10th July 2025.  Joining instructions will be sent 24 hours before the start date.

If you have any questions about this event, please contact Chris Sheridan on chris.sheridan@archives.org.uk