Written evidence submitted by The National Archives

Introduction

The National Archives is a non-ministerial department and the official archive and publisher for the UK Government, and for England and Wales. The institution holds more than 11 million historical government and public records, from medieval times through to the period of change and growth the UK is experiencing now. The National Archives leads and supports a network of more than 2,500 archives, serves as a cultural, heritage and academic institution, and collaborates with a range of archives and sister-institutions domestically and worldwide.

The National Archives long-term strategy, Archives for Everyone[1], sets out their response to the changing external context and environment for archives, reiterating their ambition to become a 21st Century national archive. They aspire to connect with the biggest and most diverse audience in the most innovative ways possible, enabling people to access their archival heritage and to experience archives wherever they are.

The National Archives staff include internationally renowned experts in records/collections, research, conservation, information and records management and digital archiving, and they provide important cultural heritage, educational and public services to many thousands of users in the UK and around the world. The National Archives collection is a rich source of cultural material and as such, a significant asset in promoting the value of the UK on the cultural and heritage global stage.

In response to the inquiry’s terms of reference

The nationwide strategic vision for archives[2] endorsed by the UK Government in 2017[3] presents the case for harnessing the value of archives as vital resources for the UK’s culture and heritage. Archival collections provide a rich source of cultural material and as such, a significant ‘soft power superpower’ asset in advancing the UK’s overseas profile and international relationships, especially in the wake of the impact of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Recognising the added value archives hold offers a timely and valuable opportunity to support the country’s recovery, in re-engaging tourists, and for the Government to engage in high-profile promotional and relationship-building as the UK seeks to consolidate and grow its global network of friends and partners.

In translating this on an international scale, The National Archives strives to drive the growth of an exciting future for archives. A successor international strategy (currently in development) aligns with their long-term strategic ambitions and the Government’s aspirations post leaving the European Union. The National Archives is a longstanding and influential member of the International Council on Archives and plays an active part in an international network of more than 160 national or central archive institutions. This includes participating in wider activities and events to enable people access to their archival heritage wherever they are, advocating the importance of archives across the world, and in preserving documentary heritage of all kinds via broad inclusivity plans and objectives.

Over the course of the last five years, The National Archives’ international work has delivered a wide range of tangible outcomes that speak to their strategic goals (Inclusive, Entrepreneurial, Disruptive), working in greater partnership with the archive sector and other institutions across the UK and further afield. This includes:

• Forming a core part of networks and membership bodies as ‘thought leadership’ participants in developing digital archiving and preservation solutions – for example, via the Digital Preservation Coalition and building digital capability across the archive sector in the UK and beyond[4].

• Increasing ties with devolved nations through high-profile partnership projects – for example, Beyond 2022, an all-island and international collaborative research project working to create a virtual reconstruction of the Public Record Office of Ireland, destroyed in 1922. Beyond 2022 is funded by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media under Project Ireland 2040. Core partners include: the National Archives (Ireland), the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland (Belfast), the Irish Manuscripts Commission and the Library, Trinity College Dublin[5] and the UK National Archives.
   
• Establishing networks and relationships with more than 100 institutions through varying digital, research and collections-based projects and activities, to enable greater access to archival materials – for example, the digitisation of the High Court of Admiralty ‘prize papers’, a huge collection of documents and small objects from the period between 1652 and1815. The Prize Papers Project is part of the Göttingen Academy of Sciences and Humanities in Germany. It is based at the University of Oldenburg, Germany, the German Historical Institute and the UK National Archives.[6]
   
• Pro-actively feeding into the UK Government’s ‘soft power’ activities, using The National Archives’ collections as engagement tools, and connecting with ambassadorial and expert policy fora – for example, via UNESCO Archives and the UK National Commission for UNESCO[7].

• Increasing The National Archives’ visibility as a leading archive through membership with the International Council on Archives and a network of archives across the world, to advocate, support and promote archival issues, bringing pertinent matters to greater prominence – for example, data and information rights.[8] [9]

Additionally:

• On 6 January 2021, the 1921 Census for England and Wales was launched by Findmypast in partnership with The National Archives.[10] The Census is the first census release for a decade and the last for 30 years. It is the largest transcription and digitisation project ever completed, consisting of more than 30,000 bound volumes of original documents stored on 1.6 linear kilometres of shelving. In conjunction with the launch, the 20s People programme[11] will explore and share stories connecting the people of the 1920s with audiences in the 2020s. The Census and 20s People programme events are online and can be accessed from anywhere in the world, providing opportunities for communities of different nationalities to experience.
   
• For the past decade, The National Archives has invested in sustainable solutions to maintain best practice environmental standards in repositories, to fulfil statutory obligations and accreditation standards, in order to meet Greening Government Commitments.[12] In November 2020, The National Archives joined the Climate Heritage Network,[13] an international voluntary organisation that promotes the concept that culture and heritage are assets for climate action. The organisation also published a sustainability and climate action statement.[14] In collaboration with representatives from the Digital Preservation Coalition, International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM), the CHN, and other archives and museums, in November 2021, The National Archives ran a sustainability-themed online event during COP 26 for the archive sector.[15] The organisation has partnered with ICCROM on their ‘Our Collections Matter’ initiative[16] which aims to provide tools and training for the 17 sustainable development goals of the United Nations 2030 Agenda.

The activities and alliances highlighted demonstrate ways archives can increase the UK’s cultural and heritage profile internationally, in particular the societal and economic values archives can realise post-pandemic.