Activating Archives and Collections for Local and Societal Impact

Libraries, galleries, and museums hold archives and collections that, beyond their historical and cultural significance, possess considerable but often under-realised potential to generate social benefits. These benefits can be seen at different levels – from supporting individual confidence and wellbeing, to strengthening local place-attachment and community cohesion, and to wider outcomes such as civic participation and regional development. Cultural institutions linked to universities are particularly well placed to connect academic research with wider public audiences, helping collaborative and participatory work with archives and collections to reach beyond the academy.

Realising this potential depends upon ‘activating’ these collections through robust, ethical, and sustained community partnerships. This means going beyond simply providing access, and instead developing shared approaches that connect institutional collections with community-led activity. Treating institutional expertise and community knowledge with equal standing helps to ensure that engagement is meaningful and grounded in equity and mutual benefit. This focus on the quality of collaboration can support both academics and cultural institutions in embedding community engagement as a core part of their public and social role, while remaining attentive to the challenges this work can involve.

This Research Café will explore, through lightning talks and panel discussion, the different ways in which institutional and community-led archives and collections can be used to support local and wider social benefits. By showcasing examples from the University of Manchester and beyond, it will offer a space to share experience, discuss approaches, and reflect on how the value of this collaborative cultural work can be conceptualized, evidenced, and amplified.

Agenda:

12-12.30pm: Lunch/networking

12.30-12.40pm: Welcome / introduction (Chair: Constance Smith)

12.40-13.25: Four short lightning talks (10 minutes each)

13.25-13.55: Panel discussion (Moderator: Tom Flavel)

13.55-14.25: Audience Q&A

14.25-14.30: Closing words/next steps

Panelists

Sarah Aitchison, UCL, Prejudice in Power project.

Phillipa Heath, Museum of English Rural Life, Museum of Sanctuary project.

Maya Sharma, AIU Race Centre and Education Trust.

Lucy Turner, The Whitworth Art Gallery, Still Care Project.

Accessibility

If you have particular access or dietary needs, please let us know in advance by providing details when registering for your ticket or by emailing [email protected]

About Creative Manchester

Creative Manchester is an interdisciplinary research platform based at The University of Manchester. The platform champions research in creativity and creative practice, bringing together research communities with external stakeholders to explore new research areas and address strategic opportunities. Please visit the website for more information: Creative Manchester.

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Info: by Constance Smith.

Info: with Sarah Aitchison (UCL), Phillipa Heath (Museum of English Rural Life), Maya Sharma (AIU Race Centre and Education Trust) and Lucy Turner (The Whitworth Art Gallery, Still Care Project).

Info: Moderated by Tom Flavel.

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