Policies and practices in access to digital archives: towards a new research and policy agenda, July 2 - 6, 2012 Budapest, Hungary, In co-operation with the Information Program, Open Society Foundations and the Open Society Archives (OSA) at Central European University

Course Directors

• Gabriella Ivacs, Open Society Archives,Central European University, Budapest, Hungary
• Milena Dobreva, Computer and Information Sciences Department, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK

Faculty

• Carla Basili, CERIS, National Research Council (CNR), The European network for Information Literacy (EnIL)
• Joy Davidson, Digital Curation Centre, University of Glasgow, UK
• Charles Farrugia, National Archives, Rabat, Malta
• Vera Franz, Information Policy and Intellectual Property Reform initiatives, Society Information Program, New York, USA
• Paul Keller, Knowledgeland, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
• Fabrice Quertain, Walloon Region, Belgium, (currently seconded to the European Commission)
• Istvan Rev, Open Society Archives, Central European University, Budapest, Hungary
• Harry Verwayen, Europeana, EDL Foundation, Den Haag, the Netherlands

BRIEF COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course is intended to serve as a bridge between archivists, curators, researchers, legal experts and policymakers whose work deals with digital records, cultural heritage collections and/or open data. Launching an itinerary to reform the political and statutory landscape by uniting the efforts of key stakeholders is one of the broad purposes of the course.

Short and long-term access to archival records is socially and culturally significant. New licensing frameworks and austere policies can often make conditions for the re-use of material unmanageable for archival curators. But innovative research and policy agendas cannot be considered without a recognition and understanding of the range of interests implicated. It is an aim of the course to address the gap that continues to widen between archival policies and practice at both the European and international level by offering practitioners an overview of institutional norms and legal frameworks that have gradually become dissociated from both archival practices and broader social concerns. A special emphasis will be placed on the issues surrounding the use of archives within research and teaching.

Legal uncertainty and restrictive regulations may jeopardize the European knowledge ecosystem by limiting access to information; a thorough analysis of this new environment has become increasingly imperative.

The challenges faced in developing and implementing policies with appropriate levels of control and information management practices, particularly in the public sector, are matters that must be examined, debated and determined by an array of stakeholders. Institutional and national settings differ significantly across the archival domain and so do the challenges and barriers that have emerged.

Placing the digitalization of archival collections in a wider policy context, lectures will address the overlap of proprietary rights, research needs and data management and the frictions arising therefrom; regional and international legal frameworks will be situated within the archival domain and participants with diverse disciplinary viewpoints will engage in critical discussion of the application of these laws. Outreach channels and the creation of a guidelinegenerating coalition of experts are also envisioned.

Prerequisites: Applicants will be selected on the basis of their qualifications and experience as well as their interest in collaborating beyond the scope of this course to the development of policy proposals. Prior to the summer session participants are invited to prepare papers on topics to be determined following discussions with the course directors.

Central European University's summer school (CEU SUN), established in 1996, is a program in English for graduate students, junior or post-doctoral researchers, teachers and professionals. It offers high-level, research-oriented, interdisciplinary academic courses as well as workshops on policy issues for professional development, taught by internationally renowned scholars and policy experts (including CEU faculty). Application from all over the world is encouraged. Financial aid is available.

Submissions

Online : https://apply.embark.com/NonDegree/CEU/12/

Application deadline: February 15, 2012

Below is the list of the documents you need to prepare or arrange for submission:

• Completed online SUN Application Form
• Letter of recommendation
• A full curriculum vitae or resume, including a list of publications, if any
• Statement of Purpose (max. 500-600 words)
• Writing sample in English related to the course theme (max. 1000-1500 words)

Optional attachments:

• A copy of an article in English published recently (if available)
• A copy of an English language proficiency certificate (if available

Contacts

• http://www.summer.ceu.hu
• CEU Summer University, P.O. Box: Budapest 5, P.f.: 1082, H-1245, (36 1) 327 3811, Fax: (36-1) 327-3124
• E-mail: summeru@ceu.hu
• Skype: ceu-sun