New England Archivists (NEA) invites submission of session proposals for our Spring Meeting to be held March 31 & April 1-2, 2027 in Burlington, Vermont. 

This call is for non-student proposals. A separate call for proposals will be sent out for graduate students at a later date.

The deadline to submit a proposal is September 21, 2026.

In the face of the many challenges confronting archives today and in the spirit of Vermont's strong culture of environmentalism, NEA looks forward to discussing sustainability of all types within the archives at the 2027 Spring Meeting in Burlington, Vermont. While the 2027 Program Committee invites proposals on all topics, we are especially interested in presentations that interpret this theme in different ways. How do archives respond both to the threats posed by climate change, and to the challenges of financial sustainability? How do archivists sustain themselves and address factors such as burnout and the impacts of contingent employment? As we face tumultuous times, how do archives maintain long-term sustainability and ultimately achieve the mission of preserving collections for the future?

The 2027 Program Committee is also especially interested in proposals that explore topics such as:

* Archival advocacy
* Diversity, inclusion, and equity
* Instruction
* Innovative processing methods and projects
* Creative reference and outreach practices
* Donor relations
* Impacts of artificial intelligence
* Disaster recovery
* Student employment/student projects 
* Impacts of the archives profession on health and wellness



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 theme.

Open forum

Topical discussion with moderator leading discussion with attendees. 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.

Lightning Talks

May or may not include slides or images. Presentations may be from 3 to 10 minutes long, with a number of presenters depending on time allotted for each.

Debate

Moderator announces the topic, and two other individuals debate.

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.

Collaboration

To facilitate collaboration, the Spring 2027 Program Committee has created a collaborative space for NEA members to develop session proposals together.

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, September 21, 2026.

Proposal submission

To submit a general proposal, complete the form here.

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
* Student member meeting and travel assistance
* Inclusion and diversity session scholarship

Accessibility and code of conduct

NEA is committed to making the Spring 2027 Meeting welcoming and accessible to all presenters and attendees. NEA provides presenters with guidelines to ensure that their presentations meet current accessibility standards. Presenters are also required to abide by the NEA Code of Conduct.

If you will need specific accommodations, such as interpretive services, to support your participation in this event, please contact the Program Committee Chair, Sally Johnson.