Archives and Policy Seminar Series

The Archives and Policy Seminar Series is a joint initiative of King's College London, New York University Abu Dhabi, the Centre for Social and Economic Progress (CSEP), New Delhi, and NIHSA – the New International Histories of South Asia research network .

The series brings together scholars, archivists, policymakers, practitioners, and institutional partners to bridge the gap between archival research and policymaking. It is grounded in the belief that archival knowledge is crucial for shaping public debate, informing policy decisions, and preserving collective memory.

While primarily focused on Indian archives—across national, state, private, and institutional contexts—the series also incorporates international perspectives to encourage the exchange of ideas and best practices. The goal is to drive policy-level change that enhances access, infrastructure, and navigation within India's archival landscape.

This initiative gains urgency at a time when India's archival ecosystem faces critical questions of accessibility, digitization, and preservation. Despite rapid infrastructural transformation, the implementation of promised reforms and technological integration remains uneven. The series aims to address these challenges through sustained dialogue among diverse stakeholders and to work toward more effective and inclusive archival solutions.

Initiated by Ambassador Shivshankar Menon (Distinguished Fellow, CSEP), Dr Constantino Xavier (Senior Fellow, CSEP), Dr Bérénice Guyot-Réchard (Reader in International and South Asian History, King's College London) , and Dr Rahul Sagar (Associate Professor of Political Science, NYU Abu Dhabi) , the series is curated by Dr Khushi Singh Rathore (Non-Resident Associate Fellow, CSEP) .

All sessions are held at the Centre for Social and Economic Progress (CSEP), No. 6, Second Floor, Dr Jose P. Rizal Marg, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi – 110021, in a hybrid format that enables both in-person and virtual participation. These are closed-door discussions by invitation only, to ensure focused and substantive engagement among participants.

From Dialogue to
Actionable Change

The Archives and Policy Seminar Series is an international collaborative initiative aimed at bridging the critical gap between India's archival resources and the needs of scholars, policymakers, and the public. Its core vision is to move beyond discussion toward actionable reform, generating a practical roadmap for systemic change in the Indian archival landscape.

Each seminar in the series focuses on key aspects of India's archival ecosystem—ranging from access and equity to preservation, digitisation, and declassification . These sessions are designed as interactive, closed-door working-group discussions rather than traditional lectures, encouraging participants to identify shared challenges, exchange expertise, and co-develop recommendations.

This year-long dialogue will culminate in a comprehensive public report and a final conference , intended to catalyse both intellectual and institutional impact. The project convenes leading archival professionals, academics, and government officials to collectively shape the future of India's documentary heritage.

Objectives and Expected Outcomes

The Archives and Policy Seminar Series aims to:

Create a collaborative platform for sustained dialogue between archival and policy communities.
Define concrete, implementable solutions to enduring archival challenges in India.
Generate policy recommendations through thematic discussions and expert consultations.
Compile findings into a final report that informs future advocacy, institutional reforms, and policy frameworks.

The insights and outcomes from each session will directly inform this final report, contributing to a broader effort to move the national conversation from identifying problems to co-creating actionable solutions for India's archival future.

Past Events

Roundtable

Nov

Whose History, Whose Voice?: Forging Equity in the Indian Archives

04:00 PM - 05:30 PM (IST)

CSEP Auditorium

More Details