June 7, 2024

Coventry University (UK)

Deadline (EXTENDED): April 14, 2024

The Local and Community Media Network of MeCCSA is calling for contributions to a one-day symposium looking at the future of local and community media archives. 

While digitisation might be perceived to be making some aspects of local media more readily available, the consolidation of outlets has led to the disposal and destruction of many of the records relating to its outputs, production and significance. This may include, but is not limited to, the destruction of analogue formats of media, photographic collections and business records archives. In some places, organisations are stepping in to preserve collections; this includes community groups who seek to salvage what they consider to be the collective memory of a place. All collectors find themselves faced with the myriad challenges which are associated with preservation and recognition for items relating to an often-undervalued aspect of media.  

This symposium will bring together academics, publishers, archival practitioners and community representatives to explore the issues and possible solutions in relation to preserving local media archives across the range of formats, including newspapers, radio, local television and film archives, and alternative publications. The event will be held at the university library (Frederick Lanchester building). It will include the chance to visit the Lanchester Innovation Archive based in the library which documents the life and work of legendary motor designer and inventor Frederick Lanchester. 

Themes for exploration might include: 

• Locating local media archives 
  
• The physicality of archives – including preservation and accessibility 
  
• The good and the bad of digitisation 
  
• The place of local media archives in the memory of localities 
  
• Community usage and involvement with local media archives   
  
• Archives and well-being 
  
• Oral history and local archives  
  
• Practical approaches to dealing with local media archives 
  
• Creative responses to local media archives 

The organisers welcome submissions for academic papers, panels, workshops and posters.  Abstracts outlining your contribution should be limited to 350 words and should be sent to r.matthews@coventry.ac.uk by the extended deadline of April 14, 2024. It is expected that a publication will result from the event. 

A fee of £40 will be charged to cover conference costs. A limited number of bursaries will be available to help support attendance by post-graduate students. Please indicate on your abstract if you would like to be considered for an award.