Archives and Records Association Conference 2026 – Call for Papers

The Archives and Records Association Conference will be held in Glasgow in 2026, returning as a fully in-person event. The theme for the conference is Authenticity, a timely focus as recordkeeping professionals navigate an era where truth, trust and evidence are increasingly challenged.

The conference will explore questions such as the legal status of digitised records, how to provide authentic access to born-digital content, and whether authenticity should always take precedence over accessibility. It will also examine the role of AI in recordkeeping, including its potential to improve efficiency through tools like transcription and metadata creation, alongside the risks it may pose to data quality, professional judgement and skills.

Authenticity will also be considered through the lens of conservation and preservation. What impact do conservation treatments and material choices have on the perceived authenticity of physical records? Are we preserving authenticity, or reshaping it? In a world marked by disinformation and shifting social perspectives, the conference will challenge attendees to reflect on how truth, ethics and recordkeeping intersect in a post-truth environment.

Suggested areas for exploration include, but are not limited to:

• Authentic experiences in archives and whether a hierarchy of authenticity exists

• The impact of AI and source data on authenticity and bias

• Contested histories and the role of archives in shaping or challenging narratives

• Digital records versus original formats and user expectations

• Conservation, intervention and the balance between access and authenticity

• Governance, accountability and the real-world consequences of record use and misuse

They are inviting proposals for presentations, panels and workshops, with abstracts of up to 500 words. All sessions will be delivered in person in Glasgow.

When submitting a proposal, contributors may indicate whether their session is aimed at:

• Archives

• Records Management

• Conservation

• Digital (including preservation and AI)

• Information Governance (data protection, copyright, freedom of information, and related areas)

Proposal formats include:

1. Individual presentations – 20-minute papers combined into themed sessions

2. Panel sessions – 60 to 90-minute stand-alone sessions with three to five speakers

3. Workshops – 60-minute stand-alone sessions with a practical or interactive component

Visit their website to learn more