In today’s rapidly changing world, new technologies offer both opportunities and challenges. Archivists are not only the custodians of our past, they are also helping to shape our future. The role of archivists and records managers has broadened. They now not only preserve records, but also manage memories, protect identities and navigate the complexities of social conflict. Archivists ensure that records protect rights and make information accessible and understandable.
At the Barcelona Congress, participants will discuss the future of archives, the evolving role of the profession, and how to connect with other fields. By sharing ideas and knowledge, we use the power of archives to create a more informed and inclusive world. Join us at “Knowing Pasts, Creating Futures” to shape the future by learning from the past.
The Congress Programme Committee hereby invites your proposals for papers and other types of sessions related to the theme “Knowing Pasts, Creating Futures.” Session formats and subthemes are described below.
The Programme Committee welcomes the participation of new professionals in the field, new members of the ICA community, and people from other professions who want to engage with archivists and records managers.
An evaluation panel will select proposals for the final programme based on the quality of the proposals and the significance of the topics, while also ensuring that the Congress includes a diverse group of speakers from a wide range of countries and perspectives. In addition, the final programme should provide an opportunity for attendees to learn about record keeping and archives in our host country.
Note for ICA Branches, Sections, and Expert Groups: all ICA groups will be able to reserve meeting time on Monday, 27 October, subject to availability of spaces in the congress venue. For this, you do not need to submit a proposal. Groups can open these meetings to all attendees or limit them to their members. ICA will also organize dedicated lightning talk sessions for Sections and Expert Groups to provide short introductions to their objectives and ongoing work for the general ICA audience. However, ICA groups and their members can always submit session proposals on their significant projects using the usual process to share their work with the widest audience.
To navigate the uncertainties of the future, humanity must not forget its past. In this context, archives are essential instruments of society, which is expressed through traditional communication channels and others that are constantly evolving. These include social networks and new social movements, which, in many cases, generate instant and ephemeral documentation.
We request that you complete your application by no later than Thursday 16 January 2025 (23:59:59 CET). Presenters will be notified of acceptance by the end of April 2025. The Programme Committee will only consider submissions received via ConfTool. Instructions on how to submit are contained in the submission platform.
Proposals may fall into any of the following five categories:
1. Paper Presentation;
2. Co-Lab Session;
3. Lightning Talks;
4. Panel Discussion
5. Poster.
The ICA Congress Professional Programme Committee may accept a proposal but place it in a different category from the one initially proposed.
1. Paper Presentation: 15-minute presentation of one or more speakers presenting a topic. Papers will be scheduled with other papers on a related theme. Questions and comments may be handled after each paper or at the end of the session at the discretion of the moderator and speakers.
2. Co-Lab Session: 20-minute presentation including 10 minutes for description of a project, research, or collaboration initiatives in their developing or formative stages, and 10 minutes for interactive discussion and feedback from the audience. This session is intended to either solicit comment from peers or to advertise the release of a new project, dataset, or tool.
3. Lightning Talks: 5-minute session for presenting a single project, demonstrating technology or pitching ideas, and connecting with other delegates.
4. Panel Discussion: 45-minute session consisting of three to five individuals discussing theories or perspectives on a given topic. Panels should be coherent in presenting a substantial body of research or a research question. Chair duties may be performed by one of the speakers. Panels that include speakers from multiple ICA regions are strongly encouraged. There will be time for only a limited number of panels on the programme.
5. 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.
> Speakers, presenters, panel members, workshop facilitators and poster presenters must register and pay a reduced fee to attend the congress, as well as cover their own travel to Barcelona and accommodation costs in the city.
> A limited number of bursaries to assist speakers, panel members, workshop facilitators and poster presenters may be available, and you should indicate with your proposal whether you will need assistance to attend the congress.
> 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 work in archives and records management to submit a proposal. We actively encourage professionals from other fields to challenge and inform us.
> Members of the ICA Barcelona 2025 Professional Programme Committee are not eligible to submit proposals.
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