New England Archivists (NEA) invites submissions of session proposals for our Spring Meeting, to be held March 14-16, 2024, in Providence, Rhode Island.
The deadline for proposals is December 8, 2023.
After celebrating NEA’s fiftieth anniversary, this conference aims to look forward and boldly ask–what will our next fifty years look like? What do we, as members of this organization and professionals in our field, ask of this organization, ask of our field, and ask of each other to move the archival world forward while honoring our deep roots? What changes do we wish to see in our world? This conference, titled In Pursuit of the Future, seeks to offer a space for discussion and community to plan for a brighter future.
We look forward to seeing you all in Providence!
The Spring 2024 Program Committee invites proposals on all topics but is especially interested in the following:
- Anti-racism
- Crisis management
- Climate change
- Social justice
- Labor practices/unionization/professional responsibilities
- Managing remote work
- Rapid response collecting
- Managing change
- Professional ethics
- Self-care
First-time presenters, current graduate students, early-career professionals, and BIPOC are encouraged to apply.
Possible Session Types
STANDARD PRESENTATIONS
Two or three speakers present on a common theme. May include a moderator to steer discussion and/or introduce speakers and the theme.
OPEN FORUM
Topical discussion with moderator leading discussion with everyone in attendance. May include additional moderator(s) to direct breakout conversations.
ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION
Three or four participants make very brief remarks, then discuss a topic together. Includes a moderator to steer discussion.
PECHAKUCHA
Each presentation consists of 20 slides or images displayed for 20 seconds each, with comments, and lasts 6 minutes and 40 seconds. Highest number of presenters possible is 12, fewer if leaving time for questions.
LIGHTNING TALKS
Like PechaKucha, but without a set format. May or may not include slides or images. Presentations may be from 3 to 10 minutes long, with the number of presenters depending on time allotted for each.
DEBATE
Moderator announces the topic, and two other individuals debate.
OTHER
If you have an idea for a virtual session not outlined here, let us know!
Note: standard AV (a projector and screen) will be provided for each session. Presenters are expected to provide a laptop for connecting to the projector, as well as any additional audiovisual equipment needs.
Collaboration
To facilitate collaboration, the Spring 2024 Program Committee has created a space for NEA members to develop session proposals together:
https://bit.ly/3Ry79Jp
Please use this space to connect with your colleagues about potential session topics and formats. This collaborative space will be accessible until the deadline for proposals, November 1, 2023.
Proposal Submission
To submit a proposal, complete the form below.
https://forms.gle/VU9vsPkroFksMDAS8
Please note that proposed sessions involving fewer than three presenters and/or covering overlapping topics may be grouped together.
All submissions will be acknowledged by the Program Committee. If your proposal is selected, your acknowledgment will include instructions about next steps. All presenters are required to register for the conference upon acceptance, at the early-bird rate, and to fund their own travel expenses.
Scholarships and Awards
Meeting and travel scholarships are available through NEA for those in need. Details may be found on the NEA website.
Please also refer to the following pages for specific details on:
● Meeting and travel assistance: https://newenglandarchivists.org/meeting_travel
● Student member meeting and travel assistance: https://newenglandarchivists.org/VonSalis
● Inclusion and diversity session scholarship: https://newenglandarchivists.org/inclusion-diversity-scholarship/
Accessibility and Code of Conduct
NEA is committed to making the Spring 2024 Meeting welcoming and accessible to all presenters and attendees. Presenters are encouraged to ensure that their presentations meet current accessibility guidelines. Presenters are also required to abide by the NEA Code of Conduct, which can be found here:
https://www.newenglandarchivists.org/Code-of-Conduct
If you will need specific accommodations, such as interpretive services, to support your participation in this event, please contact the program chair Sarah Shepherd at programcommittee-1@newenglandarchivists.org.
