Memories, Communities, Technologies - Prato 2006 Conference

About the conference

eResearch at the nexus between the humanities, social sciences and information technology is an exciting and challenging area for future initiatives. The Monash University-Kings College London Conference Fund 2006 sponsored a research meeting at the Monash Centre Prato in October which aimed to develop an agenda for collaborative eResearch relating to Memories, Communities, Technologies, involving universities, memory institutions and communities.

The main themes explored were the formation and transformation of community memories, the role of memory institutions, and the potentially transformative and empowering effect of information and communication technologies; participatory models for community-centred research; eSources and accessibility; and eResearch tools. 70 invited participants attended, including academics, technologists, professional and industry partners, and community representatives from Australia, the UK, NZ, Europe, South Africa, USA, and India.

Major outcomes of the Conference are the formation of the Memories, Communities, Technologies Network, a research agenda for international collaborative research projects, which will seek European as well as British, Australian and NZ funding, and the conference proceedings which will be published by Monash ePress. An agenda of over 14 high priority research projects was agreed. Dr Rüdigar Klein, representative of the Standing Committee for the Humanities (SCH), from the European Science Foundation (ESF), encouraged participants to apply to his group to support further collaborations. The ESF comprises 78 national research organisations in 30 countries. Australian researchers are able to participate in ESF sponsored exploratory workshops, research planning conferences, research projects and research networks with European partners.

Program

Conceptual statements

  • Sharing: Collected memories in communities: Eric Ketelaar - Paper (pdf, 124kb)
  • 'Communities of memory': Pluralizing archival research and education agendas: Sue McKemmish, Ann Gilliland-Swetland, & Eric Ketelaar - Paper (pdf, 156kb)

Themes

  • Theme 1: Formation/Transformation of memories: Eric Ketelaar (Monash University & The University of Amsterdam), Don Schauder (Monash University), Marian Quartly (Monash University), Lynette Russell (Monash University), & Patricia Methven (Kings College London) - Outline (pdf, 88kb)
  • Theme 2: Protocols: Sue McKemmish (Monash University), Shannon Faulkhead (Monash University), & Anne Gilliland (UCLA) - Outline (pdf, 56kb)
  • Theme 3: Sources and Accessibility: Harold Short (Kings College London), & Cathrine Harboe-Ree (Monash University) - Outline (pdf, 68kb)
  • Theme 4: Tools: Andrew Treloar (Monash University), & Sheila Anderson (Kings College London) - Outline (pdf, 44kb)

Outcomes

Research and Action Agenda

  • Table 1: Memories, Communities, Technologies Research Themes - Download (pdf, 140kb)
  • Table 2: Community Research Infrastructure: Research Themes and Action Agenda - Download (pdf, 108kb)