The Editorial Board of Flash, the biannual digital magazine of the International Council on Archives (ICA), is pleased to invite ICA members to submit proposals for its upcoming Issue No. 47, to be published in December 2025.
Topic of the Issue
Shared Commitments, New Synergies: Expanding Archival Partnerships Across Sectors
This issue of Flash will explore how partnerships beyond the traditional archival sector are shaping the future of archives — from digital innovation to public engagement, and from policy influence to sustainable resource management. Framed around the ideas of shared commitments and new synergies, the edition will spotlight real-world examples of collaboration between archives and actors such as private companies, cultural institutions, civil society organisations, and international bodies, all working together to address common challenges and opportunities.
It will also reflect on the evolving role of ICA as a connector: facilitating cross-sectoral cooperation, representing archives in global dialogues, and supporting members in building meaningful, strategic partnerships.
Why this topic?
As the field of archives and records management faces complex digital, social, and political shifts, cross-sector collaboration is no longer optional — it is essential. Archivists, records managers, and institutions are increasingly co-developing solutions with technology providers, academic researchers, vendors, community groups, advocacy networks, and intergovernmental organisations. This issue of Flash will examine how these partnerships are built, what makes them successful, and how ICA can strengthen its role in promoting and supporting such collaborations.
At the same time, it is essential to keep the voices and perspectives of ICA members — including public archives, national institutions, and community-based organisations — at the centre of this conversation. This edition aims to highlight both sides: the strategic value of external partnerships, and the lived experiences of ICA members engaged in cooperative efforts.
Call for Contributions
We are inviting ICA members in good standing (*) to submit proposals for original contributions that offer professional insights, institutional case studies, or thought-provoking reflections related to the theme. Submissions may take various formats — including feature articles, short essays, interviews, or infographics — and should be relevant to a global audience.
Please note that all content selected for publication in this issue will be released under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0) licence. By submitting your article, you confirm that you accept these terms. You can learn more about the licence here: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/deed.en.
Submission Guidelines:
- Please submit a short abstract (maximum 250 words) outlining your proposal by completing the submission form below. The form will also ask for your ICA membership number and email address. Please note that the submission form is available in English only.
- Selected authors will be invited to submit a full contribution of approximately 1,500 words (5 pages).
- Contributions must be written in English (UK spelling preferred).
- Final drafts must be submitted by Friday, 10 October 2025.
Important Dates:
- Deadline to submit abstract: Monday, 8 September 2025
- Notification of acceptance: Week of 22 September 2025
- Final contribution due: Friday, 10 October 2025
- Publication date: December 2025
To ask any questions, please contact us at: communications@ica.org
We look forward to receiving your proposals and showcasing the work of ICA members from around the world in our next issue of Flash!
(*) ICA individual members or staff members of ICA institutional members in good standing can submit their proposals.
For the individual members who wish to confirm their membership status, we invite you to access “My ICA Profile”. If your Renewal due date is set on 1st January 2026 or later, you will be able to nominate yourself.
For the institutional members who wish to confirm their membership status, we invite you to access “My ICA Profile”. If your Renewal due date is set on 1st January 2025 or later, you will be able to nominate yourself.
