Name: Virginia HUNT
Title: /
Job title: University Archivist and Director of Records Managment Services, Harvard University
Organisation (if ICA Institutional membership): /
Country or Territory: United States
Region represented: Europe and North America
Candidate Statement:
“For the past five years as a member of the International Council on Archives (ICA), I’ve had the privilege of connecting with a diverse community of archival professionals. This network has profoundly influenced my practice and broadened my understanding of archives and records management as vital components that bind our community and impact the world. In today’s digital landscape, archives have a unique role in documenting current events—a shift that enables us to preserve the history and culture of previously undocumented individuals and communities, capture evidence of injustice, and ensure accountability. Archives transcend language, cultural, and governmental barriers, serving as tools for uncovering corruption and violence, and supporting community memory during political change, social justice movements, artistic expression, and times of tragedy.
At ICA, our collaborative efforts create an international force for accountability and change, with our programs facilitating knowledge sharing, community building, and mutual support. Over my 25-plus years in the profession, I’ve contributed to numerous program and local arrangement committees and delivered various presentations and workshops. Although my experience is primarily North American, I’ve recently engaged more actively with ICA. Motivated by these experiences, I’m submitting a nomination to help shape ICA programs to inclusively serve our community and address the challenges of 21st-century archives and records management.”
How can you make the voice of ICA regions underrepresented in PCOM heard?
“While I’m not from an underrepresented region, I’ve engaged in several projects for preserving and digitizing archival content in Africa. Currently, I’m involved with the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Center for Women and Development to digitize former President Sirleaf’s archives for online access. This project has taught me about the challenges of archival work in Liberia and helped me gain skills in resource management, connecting local archivists with supportive organizations, and linking smaller archives to suppliers. This experience can guide me in developing ICA programs that support communities facing similar archival challenges.”
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