We are pleased to announce that Wellcome and Wellcome Collection will be the headline sponsors of the DCDC21 Conference, which is hosted by The National Archives, RLUK, and Jisc.
DCDC21 is a cross-sectoral conference, bringing together the GLAMA sectors (galleries, libraries, archives, museums, and academia) in the UK, Europe, and further afield. The 2021 conference will explore how crisis can act as a catalyst for change for our cultural heritage organisations and working practices, collections, and audience engagement, and examine how we might foster innovation and collaboration in our institutions and communities.
As an independent foundation that exists to improve health, the work of Wellcome has never been more important as we seek to address the major challenges faced by society today. Wellcome Collection, Wellcome’s free museum and library dedicated to exploring health and human experience, is a major cultural institution in its own right. The DCDC Conference partners look forward to working with colleagues from Wellcome in showcasing the amazing work being undertaken across the cultural, heritage, and research communities during a period that has required a collective response to the challenges presented by COVID-19.
The DCDC partners commented that ‘We’re delighted that Wellcome and Wellcome Collection are supporting DCDC21 as headline sponsor. This further underpins our collective desire that DCDC conferences fully represent the broadest cross-section of the GLAM and Academic communities as possible. By working with Wellcome, we hope that next year’s DCDC conference will reach the broadest range of professionals, from early-career to seasoned veterans, across a wide range of specialisms and disciplines.’
- David Prosser, Executive Director, Research Libraries UK
- Jeff James, Chief Executive and Keeper, The National Archives
- Paul Feldman, Chief Executive, Jisc
Jenny Haynes, Head of Collections & Research, Wellcome Collection, commented:
‘The questions raised by DCDC21 are both important and urgent. Future generations will judge us on how we respond to the structural inequalities that have been laid bare during recent months. It has never been more essential for galleries, libraries, archives, museums, and academia to stand together and learn from each other as we move forwards from words to action. As a museum and library with a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion, it is doubly appropriate for Wellcome Collection to play a role in helping these important conversations to happen.’
Chris Hassan, Portfolio Manager, Humanities & Social Science, Wellcome, commented:
‘Wellcome is really proud to support DCDC21. There are few other conferences that do such a fantastic job of bringing together research communities with such a broad range of cultural heritage organisations. At a time when access to cultural institutions is more challenging than ever, the conference offers a vital opportunity to share ideas and shape new approaches to research and discovery.’
DCDC21 will be held virtually from 28 June to 2 July 2021, and the call for papers is currently open for submissions: www.dcdcconference.com.
