Emerging technologies in archives: a genealogy of change

This session historicises the role of technology and media in archival practice.

The webinar will trace how successive technologies have transformed how archives are managed, preserved, and accessed: from typewriters, microfilm, photocopiers, and early computers, punch cards, to digitisation, digital catalogues, OCR, and today’s AI-powered tools.

It also explores the changing nature of the archival record, as institutions increasingly collect born-digital and hybrid materials, from websites and social media to games, audiovisual materials and software-based art. The session considers what this history can teach us about the opportunities and implications of emerging technologies for archival practice today.

By the end of the session, participants will:

• Understand the longer history and evolution of technologies used in archives.

• Recognise how emerging technologies are reshaping both archival work and the archival record.

• Identify key implications and considerations around emerging technologies for archives.

• Develop a more critical and historically informed approach to evaluating emerging technologies in their own practice.

Archives Revealed is a funding programme support the archive sector in the UK, it’s training is designed to respond to needs shown in applications and consultations, as well to highlight examples of good practice and excellence from grantees and the wider sector. It is open and relevant to all those working with archive collections in the UK, and you do not need to have received funding from the programme to attend

Who should attend

This event will be relevant to anyone working within the recordkeeping sector who is interested in learning about emerging technologies

Additional information

This event will be delivered via Zoom. A joining link will be emailed to participants in advance of the webinar.

The event will be recorded and shared afterwards.

If you have any questions, please email [email protected]