ARCHIVES AND RECORDS AT THE HEART OF SOCIETY
Date: Tuesday, 3rd November 2026
Venue: Meeting Rooms, Tynecastle Park, Heart of Midlothian FC, McLeod St, Edinburgh EH11 2NL
Deadline for papers: Monday 21st September
The Scottish Council on Archives (SCA) is pleased to invite proposals for papers for its 2026 annual conference with the broad theme of ‘Archives and Records at the Heart of Society’. This year, we want to explore the essential role that archives and records play in underpinning democracy and accountability as well as inspiring creativity, wellbeing and community building.
The conference is an opportunity to highlight how archives and records management services underpin and support every almost aspect of society. Archives and records provide us with the evidence to challenge decisions and hold authorities to account. Archives and records contribute to vibrant and cohesive communities by telling the stories of places and the people who have lived there; to health and wellbeing, through use of archival material to help with a variety of conditions, including dementia; and to economic impact, by supporting the growing ancestral tourism market.
Whether you work in archives, records management, conservation, community archives, research, education or policy, we want to hear how your work is contributing to a more transparent, accountable, vibrant and healthier society.
We welcome proposals that may include (but are not limited to):
- Archives and records as infrastructure for democracy, justice, and governance — case studies, advocacy work, or reflections on the importance and impact of the sector
- Records management and accountability — examples of how good records practice has supported transparency, efficiency and/or public trust in institutions
- Supporting the case for a future national strategy for archives and records
- Inspiring and engaging with communities and/or promoting wellbeing
- Responding to contemporary challenges and inquiries — engagement with public inquiries, emerging crises, or rapidly changing societal and technological issues such as AI
- Demonstrating how archives and records support local and/or national economies
- Case studies on any aspect of recordkeeping that speaks to the conference theme
Format:
- 20-minute individual papers/presentations (in-person is preferred but a pre-recorded presentation will be considered)
Submission Details:
To submit your proposal, please email Marissa Trimble at m.trimble@scottisharchives.org.uk by the deadline of 21st September 2025. Your submission (maximum five hundred words) should include:
- Presentation title and description
- Name of your organisation (if applicable)
- Your preference for presenting in person or prerecorded
Speakers will have their conference attendance fee and reasonable travel expenses covered. Please note that as a small charity, SCA is unable to offer speaker fees.
If you would like to discuss the event before submitting, please contact SCA Director, John Pelan at j.pelan@scottisharchives.org.uk
Deadline for papers: 21st September
Other Key Dates:
Bookings open: w/b 17th August
Programme decision made: 25th September
Full programme published: w/b 28th September
Conference: 3rd November
Publishing in the Archives Profession 