Editorial

Citation

Lomas, E. and Foscarini, F. (2016), "Editorial", Records Management Journal, Vol. 26 No. 1. https://doi.org/10.1108/RMJ-01-2016-0002

Editorial

Article Type: Editorial From: Records Management Journal, Volume 26, Issue 1

We are honoured to take on the joint responsibility for co-editing the Records Management Journal (RMJ). The journal is over two–decades-old, which aligns to the same timeframe we have each been working in the field of information management. During this time, the RMJ has charted a shifting and evolving technological, legal and ethical landscape across the globe. The World Wide Web has joined our interactions and altered both individual and organisational expectations and perspectives. We have seen new storage solutions evolve from servers to the Cloud, with new access and search possibilities. Workplaces have become networked and fluid environments where the way of carrying out and documenting activities no longer resembles the structured and linear processes of traditional, pre-Internet bureaucracies. We are still mapping the new territory that digital communication has opened up and getting to grips with the opportunities and threats posed. In this time, information has been increasingly recognised as an asset worthy of management. Records management practice and records managers are able to maximise this asset value. The Records Management Standard (ISO 15489) has provided a platform for understanding professional practice in records management and advocacy. Over the past 25 years, the virtuous circle between practice, education and research which underpins the professional domain has developed and strengthened in the sphere of records management. The RMJ has played a key role in this evolution providing a space for international scholarly and practice-oriented discussion.

The RMJ is the lead international journal in records management which links research and practice. It is not aligned to any single association or group but rather invites contributions and readership from all those with a perspective on the world of information management. The RMJ has sought to foster collaboration from researchers and practitioners within records management and beyond. A review of the articles from the RMJ’s inception includes key leaders who have moved forwards our profession. We do not seek to rank their contributions, as each article author and book reviewer has played a role in providing dialogue and insight in our field. However, in this editorial, we would like to take the opportunity to place on record a marker of thanks to Julie McLeod whose published articles in the RMJ run into double figures. We look forward to reading many more!

In taking on this role, it is important to thank Julie McLeod for her many hours of work on the RMJ. Julie has edited the RMJ since 1995. In the first instance, she worked together with Catherine Hare to edit the journal. They formed a great team. When Catherine chose to step down, Julie took over as sole editor. During this time, the RMJ contribution pool and readership has expanded across the globe, reaching individuals and institutions in over 700 countries. Julie exemplifies the work of the journal. Her experience as a practitioner, before moving into academia, provided her with a grounding which has informed over 20 years of teaching and research.

During her records management career, Julie has developed distance learning programmes which have had a reach across the globe, providing records management education at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. She led Northumbria University in the UK to obtain status as an iSchool and has been duly recognised as a Professor. She has promoted the profession of records management through two decades of involvement on standards’ committees. She has taught, written and presented on records management around the globe, most recently spending time as the Dodson Visiting Professor at the University of British Columbia in Canada. In addition, she attracted substantial funding for records management research. Most recently, she completed an international project research on accelerating change in electronic records management (see http://www.northumbria.ac.uk/sd/academic/ee/work/research/clis/dlar/erm/). In 2014, Julie was recognised internationally with the Emmett Leahy Award, which is the most prestigious international records management award. However, despite her success and academic brilliance, all those who are acquainted to Julie will know that she makes herself available to new and esteemed professionals alike. She and her husband Keith always have a warm welcome for records management travellers from around the globe who make a trip via Newcastle-Upon-Tyne. She retains her Yorkshire wit and warmth.

Now as we are taking on the role of editors, we are keen to see the RMJ develop further. This is an exciting time to work in support of the creation, delivery and enhancement of information. Records management and information governance are key to the successful operation of all organisations and the delivery of citizens’ rights. We are keen to invite suggestions which would strengthen the RMJ further. In addition, we would welcome guest editors to come forward to champion themed issues. Please do contact either one of us if you wish to deliver a themed issue on any aspect related to records management, whether it is in respect of an area of practice, research or education.

Elizabeth Lomas - Department of Information Studies, University College London, London

Fiorella Foscarini - Department of Media Studies, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands and Faculty of Information, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada