Our goal is to drive policy changes that enhance access and navigation within India's archival landscape. This is especially vital given the current challenges facing India's archival system, where infrastructure is rapidly transforming, questions about accessibility prevail, and the implementation of promised improvements and technological integration is yet to be fully achieved. The series aims to address these critical issues by promoting robust dialogue between the various stake holders, working towards more effective solutions.
Dr Bérénice Guyot-Réchard, NIHSA founder
06 August 2025
King's New International Histories of South Asia network launches Archives & Policy series with Ashoka University, NYU Abu Dhabi and Center for Social & Economic Progress, Delhi
The Archives and Policy Seminar Series aims to unite academics, archivists, policymakers, practitioners and institutional partners to bridge the gap between archival research and policy-making.
The New International Histories of South Asia (NIHSA) research network at King's has announced the new seminar series, collaborating with New York University, Abu Dhabi and the Centre for Economic and Social Progress (CSEP) in New Delhi, highlighting archival knowledge as crucial for shaping public debate, informing policy, and preserving collective memory. While primarily focused on Indian archives (national, state, private, and institutional), the series will also feature international perspectives to foster the exchange of ideas and best practices.
NIHSA was founded in 2019. Members come from universities and research institutes in South Asia, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Europe. They research and publish cutting-edge work within multiple fields including History, International Relations, Anthropology, and International Development.
Initiated by Ambassador Shivshankar Menon, Visiting Professor of International Relations, Ashoka University, Dr. Constantino Xavier, Senior Fellow, CSEP, Dr Bérénice Guyot-Réchard, Reader (Associate Professor) in International and South Asian History, King's College London, and Dr. Rahul Sagar, Associate Professor of Political Science, NYU Abu Dhabi, the new seminar series is curated by Dr Khushi Singh Rathore, Non-Resident Associate Fellow, CSEP.
The inaugural session will take place on 14 August 2025, 4-5:30 pm on 'Opening the Vault: Enhancing Access to Indian Archives' at CSEP, No. 6, Second Floor, Dr Jose P. Rizal Marg, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi-110021. Those who are unable to attend in-person in Delhi are invited to join online.
Abstract for the inaugural session:
This session focuses on the vital issue of how easy access to archives directly shapes the understanding of India's past, enhances academic debate, and strengthenspublic memory. The focus here is to bridge the critical gap between India’s invaluable archival resources and the crucial needs of scholars, with a sharp focus on both physical access and on-site facilities.
Our aim is clear: developing actionable strategies for better communication and collaboration between archival experts and researchers. The core argument in this inaugural session of the Archives and Policy Seminar Series is that India's archives should not just be preserved, but actively utilised by scholars for deep study and widespread knowledge sharing. This means tackling challenges in discovery, physical access, timely material retrieval, and navigation of the various Indian archives.
Please note that participation is by invitation only and the discussion is strictly held off the record.
If you wish to attend, please contact Dr Bérénice Guyot-Réchard, NIHSA founder, or Dr Khushi Singh Rathore, curator of the series, to request an invitation and be added to the mailing list for the series.
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Reader (Associate Professor) in International and South Asian History