1. Judy Faraday, John Lewis Partnership Alix Green, University of Essex
Developing a model for academic-archivist co-designed projects in business
Judy Faraday, John Lewis Partnership
Alix Green, University of Essex

2. Co-designing research
All research starts with a problem or puzzle, something we want to unravel or understand
Why not a ‘live’ business issue?
Co-design is a conversation: both parties shape the agenda
Reimagining roles
Archivist from gatekeeper to mobiliser of knowledge
Historian from user to expert adviser

3. Role reversal
Archivists have traditionally responded to enquiries from academics
Working for the business has been a separate activity
Questions for consideration:
Do we know what is on the business agenda and should we be involved?
Are we proactive in helping our businesses with current issues?
Can we deliver new services, increase our profile and deliver research projects without the use of external consultants?

4. The business agenda – why would we?
Delivering for the mouth that feeds us
Understanding what the business needs for future growth and success
Linking academic knowledge with business issues
Building long term relationships
Cutting costs whilst delivering more
Illustrating our value as more than just a repository

5. SWOT S – Building long term mutually advantageous relationships
W - The need to be thorough and rigorous may lead to long term research projects which cannot be completed in the quick turnaround expected in business
O - A new and underdeveloped area with huge potential for both parties
T – A lack of suitable projects/results may lead to under delivery which could reflect badly on the archive

6. The academic agenda – why would they?
The need to demonstrate impact
Engaging outside the academic sphere: ‘public purpose’
The extended network of academics to whom this work can be relevant
Access to unexplored materials
Developing new approaches to scholarship
Forming relationships with key stakeholders and external networks outside academia

7. Creating the pilot
Long term relationships lead to an understanding of mutually valuable research
Identifying a way forward
Buy in from both institutions
Setting the agenda
Outcomes and results

8. Pay for performance
What can we learn from how JLP navigated previous periods of adversity?
How has it managed questions of equity in pay?
How has JLP evolved its position on pay for performance?
How has it sought to balance individual and collective reward?
Who needs to know? Communicating research
Feedback loops

9. Why do it?
Mutual benefit, value for money [vs contracting consultants]
Demonstrates value of the archive, the archivist and the historian as expert adviser
Not just history, think economics, marketing, IT departments…
Long-term investment, strategic issues, value builds over time, accumulation of understanding & trust

10. Interested? Please get involved!
Responses to the 3 short questions on the conference feedback form greatly appreciated
Free workshop next year
Phase 2: collaboration with other business archives