The Department of Library and Information Studies, Faculty of Humanities and Education at The University of the West Indies, Mona Campus, is proud to announce that Dr. Stanley H. Griffin, Head of Department, has been invited to deliver the opening keynote address at the joint conference hosted by the leading archival professional associations in the Pacific area: The Australian Society of Archivists (ASA), Archives and Records Association of New Zealand Te Huinga Mahara (ARANZ),and the Pacific Regional Branch International Council on Archives (PARBICA). This prestigious international conference will take place on 22-25 October 2024 in Ōtautahi, Christchurch, Aotearoa, New Zealand.

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Dr. Griffin’s invitation to speak at this high-profile gathering is a significant honour and a testament to the exceptional academic leadership and professional expertise within our department. His presentation will set the stage for conference discussions that will influence the future of archival practices and policies on an international scale.

The keynote lecture entitled, “Showcasing Memory: Opening Society to its Archives,” will examine how societal narratives and archival materials interact and exert power over one another, influencing social justice movements, power systems, and the formation of cultural identities. Societies have a variety of avenues and chances to interact with their documentary pasts and futures, ranging from the preservation of tangible records to the possibilities associated with archiving intangible and digital culture. This opening keynote talk will inspire a stronger commitment for encouraging access to and the preservation of documentary legacy by shedding light on the myriad ethical issues, opportunities, and obligations inherent in archival work. Analog and digital archives alike still possess transformational power as historical inquiry, archival documentation, and socio-political change agents in society.

This recognition underscores the growing influence and reputation of our programmes in Archival and Information Studies regionally and internationally.  As a leading figure in the field, Dr. Griffin will represent The UWI’s commitment to advancing the archival and information disciplines through research, scholarship, and thought leadership.