Thinking about and working with archives and records: a personal reflection on theory and practice

Tough, A. G. (2016) Thinking about and working with archives and records: a personal reflection on theory and practice. Archives and Records, 37(2), pp. 225-238. (doi: 10.1080/23257962.2016.1147343)

Abstract

Looking back over a career that has lasted 40 years (so far) the author reflects on developments in his own thinking and the influences involved. Not least amongst these are: the British public records tradition which predominated at UCL when he studied there; the American historical manuscripts tradition which was in the process of aligning with strands of postmodernism when he held visiting fellowships in the USA; the reconfiguration of Records Management in sub-Saharan Africa in response to public sector reform in which he was involved as an advisor; and the experience of teaching postgraduate students in Britain and overseas. The author’s publications have appeared in a wide range of journals and as monographs, some of them published overseas. Here he draws together the common strands that connect them. Finally he argues that hermeneutic techniques and the concept of fiduciarity deserve to be given serious consideration in debates about archive and records theory.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor and Francis in Archives and Records on 26 Feb 2016, available online: http://www.tandfonline.com/10.1080/23257962.2016.1147343
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Tough, Dr Alistair
• Authors: Tough, A. G.
• College/School: University Services > Library and Collection Services > Library
• Journal Name: Archives and Records
• Publisher: Taylor & Francis
• ISSN: 2325-7962
• ISSN (Online): 2325-7989
• Published Online: 26 February 2016
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2016 Archives and Records Association
• First Published: First published in Archives and Records 2016
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher