Truth, justice, accountability are fundamental to human rights but in many parts of the world, are in short supply. It has always been in the interests of authoritarian regimes to distort truth, pervert justice and avoid accountability. Worryingly, it is becoming more mainstream in western societies for governments and big corporations to play fast and loose with ‘evidence’ and data, making it increasingly difficult to distinguish between truth and lies. ‘Alternative facts’, fake news, deep fake technology, and the rise of the alt-right scandal make us question evidence. What should we believe? Who can we trust?

The role, therefore, of archivists and records managers in particular, in safeguarding authenticity and safekeeping personal and corporate information is more important than ever. Democracy is underpinned by the management and storage of evidence based on principles of best practice not political advantage or priorities. At a time where data and its management are proving vital to fight the virus, we are routinely reminded of the importance of effective records management and how fundamental it is to society; it ensures that organisations, in both the public and private sector, are efficient and effective. By processing data, physical and digital, ensuring legislative compliance, preserving corporate memory, enabling access to information and helping organisations to meet administrative, financial and legal requirements, records managers support strategic objectives and business outcomes. What would the world look like without records managers? With speakers from private and public sectors, explore different aspects of records management, and examine its impact on all our lives.

Rosemary Agnew, Scottish Public Services Ombudsman: The Importance of Records to Transparency and Improvement in Scottish Public Services 

Laura Irvine, Partner, Davidson Chalmers: Records Management: Why it is Essential to Data Protection Compliance

Ryan Kerr and Claire Boyle, Historic Environment Scotland: Why We Became Records Managers

Ian Levitt, Emeritus Professor of Social Policy at the University of Central Lancashire, and Visiting Professor at the University of the West of Scotland: Accountability and Redress: From Archival Research

Hugh Hagan, National Records of Scotland: Public Records Scotland Act – Why it Matters

Maria Lim, Information Architect, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, and IRMS Scotland Chair: Importance of Records Management to Business Efficiency

Heather Jack, Information and Records Management Consultant and SCA Trustee: A Personal Story: The Impact of Records Management on the Individua