University of North Texas (University of North Texas, College of Information)

The University of North Texas will engage in applied research to close research gaps on the documentary and archival needs of refugees in the United States. It will benefit refugees, public librarians, archivists, records managers, community memory workers, and others working with refugee communities by investigating best practices and protocols in the care of vital records upon entry into the United States, as well as the creation and long-term preservation of personal digital archives of refugees. Using grounded theory and user-centered design approaches, data collection will occur through 20 focus groups with refugees and individuals who work with refugees and through an investigation of personal digital management software and archival repositories. The project will organize a virtual symposium on findings and best practices that will be open to refugee communities, individuals who work with refugees through refugee service agencies, and archivists and librarians.