Ayelet Dagan

The relationship between community archives and different community stakeholder groups

Supervisors: Associate Professor Chern Li Liew and Associate Professor Maja Krtalić

Profile

Ayelet is a PhD scholar at the School of Information Management at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington. With an academic background in sociology, history, and organizational development, Ayelet brings over a decade of experience in human resources and organizational leadership to her research. She specializes in information management, with a focus on community archives and their role in preserving cultural heritage. Her multidisciplinary approach brings together both her practical experience in leading organizational change and her academic expertise, making her research highly relevant to real-world challenges.

Ayelet's previous academic work earned her recognition, including the Israeli Archives Association Prize in 2020 and the Victoria University of Wellington Doctoral Scholarship. She has a strong commitment to understanding the dynamics of information management within communities, aiming to develop insights that can influence both academic and professional practices in the field.

Research Abstract

Ayelet’s current research explores the dynamic relationship between community archives and their changing and dynamic communities, investigating how archives align with diverse stakeholders’ groups to encourage participation and engagement. The study examines how archives identify and interact with various stakeholders in the community, and how these relationships impact participation and the sustainability of the archives. By shifting the focus from viewing the community as a homogeneous entity, the research highlights the diverse perspectives of stakeholders’ groups on the role of community archives. This work aims to redefine the concept of "community" within archives and assess how these interactions influence archive goals and stakeholder expectations. Ultimately, the research offers new insights into how community participation and engagement platforms operate within archival spaces.

Qualifications

PhD Candidate in Information Management, Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington
M.A. in Israeli Studies, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Israel
Thesis: "The Status, Significance, and Condition of Local Community Archives in Israel"
Awarded the Israeli Archives Association Prize
M.A. in Organizational Sociology, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Israel (Magna Cum Laude)
B.A. in Behavioural Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Israel (Cum Laude)

Special Achievements

Recipient of the A.K. Elliot Memorial Scholarship (2024).