CALL FOR PAPERS

The call for abstracts for ICA Roma 2022 opened on November 29, 2021!

The submission deadline was on March 21, 2022 (midnight CET).

Please note: the registration to the submission platform is not a registration to the Conference. Registrations for ICA Roma 2022 are now open.

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The overarching conference theme encompasses a broad range of issues to be investigated, discussed and laid open to different interpretations.

Archives play a key role for national and local governments, civil society and citizens, the media and communication to reduce digital, cultural, political, social, technological and educational gaps by promoting access to information. Archives can build trust and foster bridges of dialogue, cooperation, communication and empowerment by sharing knowledge.

To simplify the conference organization and submission of proposals, a series of sub-themes are set out below:

  • Archives bridging the democracy gap. Managing records and preserving archives afford a way of bringing citizens and institutions closer together; increasing dialogue between governments, society and the private sector; enforcing human, civil and economic rights; promoting access to technology, training and education; implementing public policies on open data and accountability; reducing the risk of losing public information; building trust in archives and public records as a means of empowering global information societies.
  • Archives bridging the cultural gap. Minorities, new cultures, diversity and inclusion, professional identities, emerging values (such as sustainable living or resilience) and new forms of exchanges, cooperation, work organization, training and education can use archival data and information as leverage for finding their place in our societies. What is the impact of climate change on records and archives? How can the gap to building the future be bridged when it is barely possible to imagine what the future will be? How can a balance be struck between the specific needs of some communities and the call for a uniform and consistent approach to records and archive management? What is the role of technical standards in bridging such gaps? What lessons can be learned from other cultures in terms of their archival institutions and professionals in order to reduce educational, digital or technological gaps?
  • Archives bridging the distance. While globalization, new technologies, communications, internet access and datafication have in many cases reduced distances, they have also created new gaps. Records and archives may help shorten the distance between personal and collective memory, center and periphery, education and ignorance, transparency and data protection. How do archives shape collective memory? What is the role of regional, municipal and local archives? How to use records and archives to foster research and education in schools and universities?
  • Archives bridging the digital gap. New and disruptive technologies, methods and environments are constantly making inroads into our societies. Blockchain, Big Data analytics, Internet of Things, virtual reality, augmented reality, Artificial Intelligence, algorithmic techniques and gamification are changing not only the archival scene, but also our way of living. What is the impact of these new technologies on records and archives? What are the challenges that need to be faced in relation to technological development, obsolescence, software design or long-term digital preservation? What role can archives perform in helping users to deal with new technologies? How are archivists and records managers changing their professional profile? How is the distance between the different professionals working on records and archives (including, but not limited to, records managers, archivists, ICT professionals, lawyers and policy makers) changing?

These sub-themes and the questions that go with them are intended as suggestions, not limits. All interpretations of the general theme are strongly encouraged. Moreover, the theme and sub-themes are suggested as issues to be addressed rather than as statements to be endorsed, so proposals focusing on the inability of archives to bridge gaps – or even on how they create them – will be welcome: the aim of the conference is to provide a forum for discussion of different and possibly contrasting viewpoints.

The ICA Rome Conference Programme Committee hereby invites proposals for different types of sessions related to the abovementioned sub-themes.

Proposals may fall into any of the following six categories: (1) Panel Discussion; (2) Paper Presentation; (3) Lightning Talk; (4) Poster; (5) Workshop; and (6) Alternative Format. The ICA Rome Conference Programme Committee may accept a proposal but place it in a different category from the one initially proposed.

  1. Panel Discussion: 90-minute session consisting of three to five individuals discussing theories or perspectives on a given topic. Panels should be inherently coherent in presenting a substantial body of research or a research question. Chair duties may be performed by one of the speakers. Panel discussions should allow at least 15 minutes for questions from the audience.
  2. Paper Presentation: 30-minute presentation of one or more speakers presenting on a topic. Presentations should allow at least 5 to 10 minutes for questions from the audience.
  3. Lightning Talk: 5-minute session for presenting a single project, demonstrating technology or pitching ideas, and connecting with other delegates. This session is intended to either solicit comment from peers or to advertise the release of a new project, dataset, or tool.
  4. Poster: Presentation of research, a project, an idea or other type of work in the form of a paper poster that conference participants may view in a dedicated space at the conference venue. Presenters will be required to be present during the poster session in order to provide explanations and answer questions in relation to the poster presented.
  5. Workshop: Half day or whole day session on a given topic. These sessions will be limited to 20-25 participants. Proposals in this category must: 1) identify a set of learning outcomes; 2) specify the session facilitator; and 3) describe the method of evaluation of the workshop in accordance with the ICA’s Training Programme procedures. The ICA Training Officer will provide support to the facilitators. There will be no official provision for translation; facilitators are welcome and encouraged to make their own arrangements for translation of oral and written material.
  6. Alternative Format: If you have innovative ideas for session formats, please include these in your proposal. Proposals in this category must: 1) describe the format; 2) specify the session facilitator, if needed; and 3) describe briefly how the format will enhance the presentation of the material.

All individuals and groups – including ICA’s Expert Groups, Sections and Regional Branches – wishing to submit a proposal must apply following the conference submission process.

Please be advised that the venue scheduled for these sessions is a flexible and adaptable space.

Papers may be submitted in French, English, or Italian. Limited interpretation services will be available on-site. Communication with speakers about the conference will be in English.

29 November 2021 Opening Call for papers
21 March 2022 Deadline Submission of proposals
21 May 2022 Notification of acceptance
August 2022 Submission of final slides and/or text for display at the conference
September 2022 Proceedings available for online distribution at conference
November 2022 Final proceedings available for online distribution

Proposers are welcomed from any academic, nonprofit, corporate, or government area within or connected with the archival and records management sector in any part of the world.

All submissions are made electronically via a link from the Conftool website. Instructions on how to submit are contained in the submission platform.

Any problems with electronic submissions should be directed to info@ica2022roma.com. If there are any questions related to the sub-themes or the types of sessions, please send us an email to programme@ica.org.

All types of submissions will be reviewed by at least two referees. Notices of acceptance or rejection may contain constructive comments from referees.

Submissions will be reviewed on the basis of relevance, originality, significance, soundness, and clarity.

  • Speakers, presenters, panel members and workshop facilitators are required to register and pay a reduced fee to attend the Conference, as well as cover their own travel to Rome and accommodation costs in this city.
  • Membership of ICA is not required in order to attend or present, but ICA members enjoy a reduced registration fee.
  • Presenters do not have to be an ICA member or work in archives and records management to submit a proposal, we actively encourage professionals from other networks to challenge and inform us.
  • A limited number of bursaries to assist speakers, who are ICA members in good standing, may be available, and you should indicate with your proposal whether you will need assistance to attend the Conference. Any available bursaries will be distributed among the sessions that need them.