BUILDING EVIDENCE: How Archives and Records support Scotland’s Historic Environment

Scottish Council on Archives Annual Conference 2024
10 December 2024, The Engine Shed, Stirling

The Scottish Council on Archives (SCA) will hold its next annual conference on Tuesday 10 December in The Engine Shed, Stirling. SCA is grateful for the support of Historic Environment Scotland in hosting the event.

Building Evidence will explore how archives and records support engagement with, conservation of, and research into Scotland’s historic environment. The event will be structured around the three priority areas of Our Past, Our Future – The Strategy for Scotland’s Historic Environment:

1. Delivering the transition to net zero
2. Empowering resilient and inclusive communities and places
3. Building a wellbeing economy

The conference will also highlight the need for a national strategy for archives and records in Scotland.

Deadline for submissions: Friday 2 August, 17:00

Ideas for submission include:

1. Delivering the transition to net zero
   Carbon footprint reduction in archival practice
   Digital preservation and environmental impact
   Archival adaption to climate change
   Underpinning evidence-based research into climate change
2. Empowering resilient and inclusive communities and places
   Archives and place-based narratives
   Recording intangible heritage
   Inclusivity and diversity – everyone’s stories matter
   Empowering communities through access to local history
3. Building a wellbeing economy
   Archives and ancestral tourism
   How records management supports business efficiency and good governance
   Social justice, human rights and accountability
   Archives and mental wellbeing

Please note that these ideas for submission are for general guidance and we are open to suggestions for any topic which addresses the aims of the conference and the three priority areas of Scotland’s historic environment strategy.

Speakers will be expected to deliver a 20-minute presentation and contribute to short Q&A sessions. We expect most presentations will be in-person but a small number of online speaking slots for speakers who are unable to attend will be available.

If you would like to submit a paper or a topic to present on, please send an expression of interest to Marissa Trimble. Expressions should include the topic of your presentation, which of the three historic strategy priorities it addresses (see above or visit HES for more), a short biography of the presenter and the name of your organisation (if applicable). Expressions should also indicate if you would like to present in person or online. Submissions should not exceed 500 words.

Speakers will have their conference attendance fee and reasonable travel expenses covered. Unfortunately, as a small charity, SCA is not able to offer speaker fees.

If you would like to discuss the event before submitting a paper then please contact the SCA Director, John Pelan.

Key dates:

• 2 August 2024: deadline for the Call for Speakers will be notified no more than three weeks after the deadline.
• October: Conference programme will be published and bookings will
• 10 December 2024: Conference, The Engine Shed, Stirling.

Additional Information:

The Engine Shed is Historic Environment Scotland’s dedicated building conservation centre. It is conveniently situated on Forthside Way, just a few minutes’ walk from Stirling railway station.

The conference talks will start at 10:00 with registration from 09:30. The event will close at 15:45.

SCA Annual Conference CfP