Guest post authored by ACA@UBC members Emily Larson (MAS/MLIS, 2019) and Kathryn Louro (MAS, 2018)
On February 15 and 16, the Association of Canadian Archivists (ACA) student chapter at UBC (ACA@UBC) hosted its 10th annual international symposium and seminar.
This year’s theme, Unresolved: Balancing Access and Privacy in the Digital Age, brought together a diverse range of viewpoints on topics that pose serious challenges to the profession. Panelists and speakers from many backgrounds, including lawyers, government officials, librarians, and archivists, came together to share their ideas with the audience. What followed was two days of thrilling debate and discussion of how to move forwards in increasingly complex information environments.
Panelists (from left to right: Elizabeth Shaffer, Melissa Adams, and Rand Jimerson) at the Seminar on Feb. 15. Photo courtesy of Abigail Sebaly
Seminars on Thursday, February 15 covered topics including: Accountability and Transparency; The Right to be Forgotten vs. The Duty to Remember; Security vs. Accessibility; and Documenting Society and Ethics. Conversations ranged from the challenges posed by the massive proliferation of digital records, both from a technical and social perspective, to the power dynamics embedded in traditional archival practice and strategies for meaningful reconciliation. Thought-provoking discussion between panelists and with the audience set the stage for the symposium the following day.
On Friday, February 16, nine speakers presented on different aspects of access and privacy. Topics ranged from government web archiving and democratic accountability to police body cam footage and archival ethics.
Jim Suderman. Photo courtesy of Abigail Sebaly.
For a complete list of abstracts or to view presentation slides, please see the Symposium website. For more information on the ACA@UBC student chapter, visit their website.
Photo courtesy of Abigail Sebaly.
Thank you to all those who attended this year’s event, and a special thanks to ACA@UBC Faculty Advisor, Luciana Duranti! We look forward to welcoming you back next year for the 11th Annual International Seminar and Symposium.
