IASA Executive Board 2026: election candidates

For President (in alphabetical order; one to be elected):

Ketevan Davitashvili
Gisa Jahnichen
Judith Opoku-Boateng

For Vice-President (in alphabetical order; three to be elected)
Audra Adomenas
Dan Hockstein 
Susan Kibaara
Kjetil Landrog
Ling Jiasui 
Cadu Marconi 
Andrew Martin
Mengchun Tsai

For Secretary-General (acclaimed): Pedro Felix

For Treasurer (acclaimed): Nadia Lai 

For Editor (acclaimed): Marija Dumnic Vilotijevic

For Web Manager (acclaimed): Bright Joshua

The current IASA President, Patrick J. Midtling, will become Past President.

Ketevan Davitashvili (candidate for President)

BIOGRAPHICAL STATEMENT

Ketevan Davitashvili is a sound artist, audiovisual archivist, and researcher based in Tbilisi, Georgia, working at the intersection of sound, archival practice, community engagement, and cultural heritage.

Ketevan started her professional career in audiovisual archiving at Tbilisi State Conservatoire's Ethnomusicology Laboratory, training under the supervision of Smithsonian Institution specialists in the preservation and digitisation of 1/4” magnetic tapes.

Davitashvili's work has spanned institutional and independent contexts, focusing on oral histories, sound recordings, and the documentation of underrepresented communities and cultural practices.
Their archival practice is closely linked with artistic and educational activities. Ketevan’s sound-based projects address questions of cultural memory, gender inequality, environmental justice, and social inclusion, while exploring new ways of engaging audiences with archival materials.

Ketevan has held workshops, performances, and collaborative initiatives that have brought together children, students, artists, and community groups through listening practices, sound recording, and audiovisual heritage. Davitashvili has contributed to projects dedicated to the revitalisation of historical recordings and the safeguarding of oral histories, combining technical expertise with public engagement.

Recognition of this work includes the Dietrich Schüller Inaugural Award, presented by the International Association of Sound and Audiovisual Archives (IASA).

Ketevan Davitashvili currently serves as Secretary of IASA's Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee and is committed to strengthening international collaboration, supporting emerging professionals, and expanding participation from regions and communities that remain underrepresented within the audiovisual archiving field, and promoting greater accessibility within professional spaces, including conferences and events.

VISION STATEMENT

I would like to contribute to an IASA that supports both established institutions and smaller community-based initiatives, recognizing that innovation often emerges from collaboration across different scales of practice. I believe the association should continue expanding opportunities for mentorship, peer learning and participation, particularly for students, early-career professionals, colleagues from regions that remain underrepresented in international discussions, and professionals with disabilities and/or learning difficulties.

I am particularly interested in strengthening connections between archives and the communities they serve. Audiovisual heritage becomes most meaningful when it is accessible, relevant, and actively used.

At the same time, I recognize that the strength of IASA depends not only on new ideas and initiatives, but also on effective governance, long-term planning, and the collective work required to sustain the organization. I would welcome the opportunity to contribute to the leadership and stewardship of the association through collaborative decision-making, strategic development, committee work, and the ongoing administrative responsibilities that support IASA's activities and members.

My goal is to help ensure that IASA remains a welcoming and forward-looking organization that supports professional development, encourages diverse perspectives, and advocates for the long-term care and accessibility of the world's sound and audiovisual heritage. This includes continuing efforts to make conferences and professional activities more accessible through improved support for participants with disabilities and learning difficulties, for non-native speakers through measures such as captioning and multilingual access, and for those facing financial, geographic, or institutional barriers to participation.

Gisa Jähnichen (candidate for President)

BIOGRAPHICAL STATEMENT

Gisa Jähnichen, Prof. Dr. (Ecomusicology, Performance Practices of Southeast Asia) at Shanghai Conservatory of Music, Chair of the ICTM Study Group on Musical Instruments, Secretary of the IASA T&E Committee, Ambassador of IASA to Malaysia and China, Vice President from 2022-2024 of the RILM MIXTE Commission, also teaching at Guangxi University of the Arts, Vienna University, Humboldt University Berlin, University of the Visual and Performing Arts Colombo, the New York Institute for the Humanities and Social Sciences, and as preservation consultant at the National Library of Laos. She studied at Charles University, Prague, Humboldt-University Berlin, and Vienna University. Her many writings and editions, especially as co-editor of AEMR, are widely published and accessible online and in libraries worldwide.

VISION STATEMENT

IASA is an important institution in the world of sound and AV archivists. We also need to clarify that we are not the only institution of this kind, but that we maintain good connections. This should become more evident. We need better promotion for events and workshops. Additionally, the world is changing rapidly. IASA must adopt new formats for communicating and approving ideas. This should be implemented soon. IASA should always remain open to innovation. Learning is at the heart and goes along with preservation methods. Meetings for all committees should become more available. We must work on improving both the audio and AV components of the living virtuality. We need this virtuality and the sound; therefore, we are also responsible for improving everyday practices.

Judith Opoku-Boateng (candidate for President)

BIOGRAPHICAL STATEMENT

Judith Opoku-Boateng is an archivist, researcher, and international advocate for audiovisual and cultural heritage preservation, with over three decades of professional experience in audiovisual heritage documentation and preservation She currently serves as University Head of the University of Ghana Archival System, providing strategic leadership for the University's archival system and overseeing the preservation and accessibility of institutional records and heritage collections.

Prior to this role, Judith served as Senior Archivist at the Institute of African Studies, University of Ghana, where she led several pioneering initiatives including - Making African Academic Resources Accessible (MAARA) visit: , the Living Archives Project, the Gerald Annan-Forson Photographic Preservation Project, among others. Her work has also focused on oral history documentation, archival activism, community engagement, and the restitution and repatriation of African audiovisual heritage.

Judith is widely recognized for her contributions to the international archival community. She served as Vice President for Communication of the International Association of Sound and Audiovisual Archives (IASA) and has actively contributed to the Association through committee work, conference planning, advocacy, and professional development initiatives. She has delivered keynote addresses, conference presentations, and invited lectures across Africa, Europe, North America, and Asia, and has published on archives, cultural memory, decolonial heritage practices, and preservation in the Global South.

A passionate advocate for collaboration, mentorship, and inclusion, Judith is committed to strengthening global partnerships while ensuring that diverse voices and perspectives are represented within the archival profession. Her work continues to bridge archival practices between the Global South and Global North, advancing equitable access to documentary heritage and supporting the preservation of collective memory worldwide.

VISION STATEMENT

Dear Members of the International Association of Sound and Audiovisual Archives (IASA),
It is with deep humility, gratitude, and a profound sense of responsibility that I present myself for the position of President of IASA.

My journey with IASA began in 2016, though my engagement with the Association started long before then through its Technical Committee publications, which greatly informed and strengthened my archival workflows in Ghana. As an archivist working within a resource-constrained environment, IASA’s standards, publications, and professional networks became an important foundation for my practice. When I officially joined the Association in 2016, I was warmly welcomed by the Executive Committee and members, and I immediately felt included within a global professional family. That spirit of openness, collegiality, and shared learning continues to shape my commitment to this Association.

Since joining IASA, I have had the privilege of serving the Association in multiple capacities. I served as Chair of the Diversity Task Force from 2017 to 2019, helping to foreground conversations around representation, participation, and equity within our community. When the Task Force transitioned into the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Committee, I continued to lead the work for an additional year before handing over to Rosie Rowe. I currently serve on the DEI Committee, the Research Archives Committee, and the Ambassadors Committee, while also serving as IASA Ambassador for Ghana and West Africa.

In 2018, I had the honour of hosting the 49th IASA Conference in Accra, Ghana — an important milestone that expanded IASA’s visibility and engagement on the African continent. In 2021, during one of the most difficult moments in recent global history, I was also part of the international team that coordinated the online conference hosted simultaneously across Africa, the Americas, Europe, and Asia under the theme “Closing the Gap for a New Generation of Sound and Audiovisual Archives.”

From 2020 to 2023, I served as Vice President for Communications, where I worked to strengthen the Association’s visibility, communication structures, and member engagement across regions.

Beyond IASA, my professional engagements with organisations and networks such as International Council on Archives, International Association of Music Libraries, Archives and Documentation Centres, Association of Moving Image Archivists, International Federation of Television Archives, International Federation of Film Archives, and Global Audiovisual Archiving — where I currently serve as an Advisory Board Member — have exposed me to diverse governance models, committee structures, training systems, and collaborative practices that can further strengthen IASA as a global professional association.

I stand for an IASA that remains intellectually vibrant, globally connected, professionally relevant, and genuinely inclusive.

If elected President, one of my priorities will be to review and revitalise the committee structure of the Association to encourage greater participation, visibility, and practical engagement from members across different sectors and regions. I believe committees should not simply exist administratively, but should become active spaces for collaboration, mentorship, advocacy, training, and knowledge exchange.
In addition to strengthening existing committees, I would explore the establishment of new engagement platforms and working groups such as:

• University and Academic Archives Committee
• Private and Independent Archives Committee
• Community Archives and Indigenous Knowledge Committee
• Youth and Emerging Professionals Network
• Digital Preservation and Innovation Committee
• Training, Mentorship and Capacity Building Committee
• Audiovisual Archives Advocacy and Policy Committee
• Regional Collaboration and Partnerships Committee

I believe these structures can create stronger professional pathways for members while broadening participation from communities that may not always see themselves reflected within international archival discourse.
The future of audiovisual archiving depends on our ability to build stronger international collaborations, support underrepresented regions, nurture the next generation of archivists, and create meaningful spaces for both highly resourced institutions and smaller community archives to thrive together. IASA must continue to be a place where knowledge flows across borders, where emerging voices are encouraged, and where professional expertise is shared with generosity and respect.

As someone who has worked extensively within African archival realities while also engaging internationally, I understand both the structural inequalities that exist within our field and the immense possibilities that emerge when we work collectively. I believe deeply in dialogue, collaboration, mentorship, and practical action.

If elected President, I will work to:
• Strengthen global participation and regional representation within the Association.
• Support emerging professionals and underrepresented archival communities.
• Encourage greater collaboration, training, and professional exchange across regions.
• Promote sustainable, ethical, and inclusive approaches to audiovisual preservation and access.
• Foster a culture of openness, collegiality, respect, and shared learning.
• Position IASA as an even stronger global voice for sound and audiovisual heritage.

IASA has shaped my professional journey in many ways, and over the years, this community has become more than an organisation to me — it has become a professional home. I now seek the opportunity to give back through leadership, service, and collective vision.

I respectfully ask for your support and your vote.

Together, let us continue building an IASA that is connected, inclusive, forward-looking, and responsive to the evolving realities of our audiovisual heritage communities around the world.

Audra Adomenas (candidate for Vice-President)

BIOGRAPHICAL STATEMENT

Audra Adomenas is a Certified Archivist and nonprofit leader based in Chicago, Illinois, USA. She is the founder and president of the Lithuanian Archives Project (LAP), a nonprofit organization established in 2009 and incorporated in 2012 to preserve, digitize, and provide public access to audiovisual and documentary materials documenting the global Lithuanian diaspora. Under her leadership, LAP has become an internationally recognized community archive, making thousands of historical sound recordings, oral histories, photographs, and documents freely accessible online.

Audra holds a Master of Library and Information Science degree from Dominican University and has devoted her career to advancing access to audiovisual heritage, particularly within underrepresented and diaspora communities. Her work has focused on the preservation of endangered recordings, community-based archives, digital access initiatives, and international collaboration among cultural heritage institutions.

Since 2018, Audra has been an active member of the International Association of Sound and Audiovisual Archives (IASA), serving as a member of the Diversity Task Force and as the Central United States Ambassador. Through these roles, she has worked to strengthen connections between IASA and archival professionals, promote participation in the association, and encourage greater representation from smaller institutions and emerging archival programs.

Beyond her work with LAP, Audra has collaborated with archival, library, and cultural heritage organizations throughout Europe, North America, and Africa, supporting preservation initiatives, professional development, and knowledge sharing. Her experience leading nonprofit organizations, building international partnerships, and advocating for equitable access to archival resources has prepared her to serve the global IASA community as Vice President.

VISION STATEMENT

As a candidate for Vice President of IASA, my vision is to strengthen the association's global reach while ensuring that archivists and audiovisual heritage professionals everywhere have access to the resources, knowledge, and professional networks needed to succeed. I believe IASA has a unique opportunity to serve as a bridge between established institutions and those working in developing countries, emerging archival programs, and under-resourced communities.

During a three-year term, I would focus on expanding membership by welcoming new professionals and institutions into IASA, particularly from regions that have historically been underrepresented within the association. At the same time, I would work to reconnect with former members and encourage renewed engagement by demonstrating the value of IASA's professional community, educational resources, and collaborative opportunities.

I would also prioritize building partnerships between institutions in developed and developing countries to facilitate mentorship, technical assistance, and knowledge exchange. By strengthening these connections, IASA can help reduce barriers to participation and create a more inclusive and representative international archival community.

Equity, access, and communication are central to my vision. I am committed to supporting initiatives that break down geographic, economic, linguistic, and digital barriers that limit access to professional information and training. I believe that access to quality archival knowledge should not depend on an institution's size, location, or financial resources.

Through outreach, collaboration, and inclusive leadership, I hope to help IASA continue evolving as a truly global organization that empowers audiovisual archivists and preserves our shared cultural heritage for future generations.

Dan Hockstein (candidate for Vice-President)

BIOGRAPHICAL STATEMENT

Dan Hockstein is dedicated to preserving the cultural and historical record for future generations. He currently serves as an Archivist at the Library of Congress’ American Folklife Center, where he arranges, processes, and describes collections documenting diverse expressions of human experience. His work spans a wide range of materials, from contemporary born-digital archives to field recordings that trace the early history of recorded sound.

Prior to joining the Library of Congress, Dan worked as a transfer technician and preservation specialist, focusing on the digitization of obsolete media, workflow management, quality control, and collections care. His professional experience includes positions at the Smithsonian Institution, George Blood Audio/Video/Film, The Ohio State University, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Dan is a former board member of the Association of Recorded Sound Collections (ARSC) and currently co-chairs its Education and Training Committee. He is also an active member of the Association of Moving Image Archivists (AMIA) and serves on the Audio-Visual Working Group of the Federal Agencies Digital Guidelines Initiative (FADGI).

He holds a B.S. in Audio Post Production from Emerson College and an M.S. in Information Science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Based in Baltimore, Maryland, Dan enjoys exploring and cooking local food and sharing his passion for music and media with friends.

VISION STATEMENT

As a mid-career audiovisual professional with experience across both technical and organizational areas, I am well positioned to help translate the field’s current challenges into effective, sustainable action. I believe in an educational approach that builds skills, strengthens communities, and recognizes the diverse needs that shape daily work in audiovisual archives around the world.

IASA has developed significant organizational strengths in these areas, and I would like to help build on that progress through initiatives that are responsive to our global membership. If elected Vice President, I would focus on two priorities:

1. Advancing action on audiovisual preservation challenges. Building on the excellent work of the Magnetic Tape Alert Project, I would work with IASA committees and partners to expand access to actionable resources, expertise, and advocacy tools. By strengthening publicly accessible information infrastructure, we can help institutions and communities address urgent preservation, migration, and access needs while adapting best practices to local contexts.

2. Expanding accessible professional development. I would support the growth of IASA’s training and education programs through regular on-demand content and learning opportunities. This would provide flexible access to expertise, increase member value, and create more opportunities for active participation across our global community.

Through collaboration, knowledge sharing, and tangible support, I believe IASA can continue to strengthen its impact and serve the evolving needs of audiovisual collections worldwide.

Susan Kibaara (candidate for Vice-President)

BIOGRAPHICAL STATEMENT

I am currently the Deputy Director of Archives and Records Management at Nairobi City County Government where I am responsible for records management, digitization projects, audiovisual archives, and cultural heritage preservation projects in Kenya. In the last fifteen years, I have served in both the government and humanitarian sectors, and, in the corporate world, I have developed a broad range of experience in archival governance, digital transformation, records management and preservation of institutional and community memory.

My professional activities have been devoted to the development of sustainable solutions for the audiovisual heritage preservation and historical records. I have taken a key role in the development of Nairobi City County's Digitisation Programme, and have also played a role in developing the County Archives and Records Centre. 

These are the activities I have done to maintain oral history, climate memory, historical information and the narrative of vulnerable communities.

In 2018, I created the Virtual Museum of British Colonialism, a digital project that aims to recount and disseminate colonial histories through audiovisual narratives and digital platforms. I have also spoken at international conferences organized by IASA, FIAT/IFTA and SEAPAVAA, participating in the debates on audiovisual preservation, audiovisual digitization, community archives and climate memory.

My experience with audiovisual archiving both at national and international levels has reinforced my desire to continue to promote professional collaboration, knowledge sharing and capacity building in the world of audiovisual archives. The experiences have equipped me to make valuable contributions towards IASA's leadership and strategic development.

VISION STATEMENT

I would like to see IASA constitute a more inclusive, connected and globally-representative association that addresses the changing needs of audiovisual archives professionals in every region, as a candidate for Vice President. I am especially dedicated to building the participation of underrepresented communities and institutions, in particular in areas where audiovisual archiving is still developing.

In three years, I would strive to increase visibility, guidance, professional development, and hands-on assistance in audiovisual preservation. I believe that many institutions are bogged down with common issues of digitization, resource constraints and skill training and IASA can contribute even more to knowledge sharing and collaborative problem-solving.

I would also argue for increased regional partnerships and interactions with students, emerging professionals, community archives and cultural heritage institutions. Sustainable networks will be strengthened, and more professional development opportunities created, which will help build the future of the audiovisual archiving profession worldwide.

In the future, I wish that IASA will continue to foster innovation by keeping in pace with changing times and at the same time uphold its core values of ethical stewardship, cultural diversity and community memory. There are lots of opportunities emerging, not least in the development of new technologies such as AI, and I believe IASA can help members make the most of these technologies responsibly and in an effective manner.

I want to be part of strengthening regional ties, fostering international collaboration, and putting into practice accessible archives that reflect a diversity of voices, histories and cultures.

Kjetil Landrog (candidate for Vice-President)

BIOGRAPHICAL STATEMENT

Kjetil Landrog is Secretary General of the Norwegian Archive Association (Arkivforbundet), where he has led advocacy, member engagement, and strategic development for nearly ten years. With a background in political science and public relations and communications management, he brings extensive experience in organizational leadership, public affairs, and sector-wide collaboration.

He has worked actively to strengthen the preservation, accessibility, and digitisation of audiovisual archives in Norway, promoting stronger practice in preservation, metadata, access, and public engagement across the archive sector.

He has also been a strong advocate for recognizing audiovisual, digital, and other non-paper-based archives as an essential part of our shared documentary heritage. A committed supporter of international cooperation and cross-cultural exchange, he initiated Arkivforbundet’s membership in IASA almost a decade ago and has since worked to build stronger links between national and international archival communities.

VISION STATEMENT

IASA has a vital role to play in advancing the preservation, access, and long-term stewardship of sound and audiovisual heritage through international standards, training, and collaboration. It is a unique global network, and I believe it can become even more visible, relevant, and valuable to institutions and professionals around the world.

If elected, I will work to strengthen IASA’s visibility and position as a natural professional home for more institutions, practitioners, and partners worldwide. I will support an organization that is outward-looking, inclusive, and responsive to change—one that continues to champion diversity, equity, and representation in audiovisual archives, including the voices and heritage of Indigenous communities, migrant communities, and other underrepresented groups. I also want IASA to remain a strong advocate for documenting the present through sound, video, and oral history, so that future generations inherit a richer and more inclusive record of our time.

Ling Jiasui (candidate for Vice-President)

BIOGRAPHICAL STATEMENT

LING Jiasui (凌嘉穗), Associate Researcher / Associate Research Archivist, Audiovisual Department at Shanghai Conservatory of Music Library (SHCM), Asia-Europe Music Research Center at SHCM. PhD of SHCM, major in Ethnomusicology. Postdoctoral Fellow of Shanghai Jiao Tong University. Member of the IASA T&E Committee, member of the International Council for Traditional Music and Dance (ICTMD), the Association for Recorded Sound Collections (ARSC), and the Chinese Society for Traditional Music. 

My main research interests include audiovisual archives, the conservation of musical Intangible Cultural Heritage, and minority music. I’ve published more than 20 academic articles in Chinese top journals, released the translated monograph Translation Collection of Sound Archival Studies (2025), and presented many papers at IASA, ICTMD, SEM and PARADISEC conferences. I’ve presided over and participated in several national and international collaborative research projects, such as Cataloging and Research on Overseas Preserved Chinese Music Cylinder Recordings (National Social Science Fund of China Project, 2022-2026), First Recordings from China: The 1901-1902 Cylinders of Berthold Laufer (The American Museum of Natural History & The Archives of Traditional Music of Indiana University & SHCM, 2019-2024). 

Since 2017, I have organized numerous academic events at home and abroad, including International Workshop on Repatriating: The History and Significance of Historical Chinese Recordings (2017), International Symposium: Preservation Strategies for Sound Archives in the Pacific Region (2019), Three sessions of the Training Program on Processing and Preservation of Precious Historical Music Archives (2018, 2019, 2023), and co-founded the Alliance for Music Archives of Universities and Research Institutions in China (2017).

I completed a four-month internship at IASA member institutions in South Africa in 2019 (International African Music Library & Nelson Mandela Foundation), translated official documents for the UNESCO-IASA Global Magnetic Tape Alert Project for Chinese regions. I led the bid and organization of IASA’s key Training Programme and relevant International Symposium in China in 2023 and 2024. In 2024, I visited prestigious archival institutions including the Vienna Phonogrammarchiv, Berlin Phonogramm-Archiv and the Bibliothèque nationale de France (National Library of France). As a member of the IASA Training & Education Committee from 2024, I have taken part in various international projects, and I was the first Chinese recipient of the Carl Fleischhauer Award in 2025.

VISION STATEMENT

Part 1: My Connection with IASA 
Since joining IASA, I have built close and long-standing ties with the association through diverse roles and practices. In 2019, I completed a four-month overseas internship at two IASA member institutions in South Africa (International African Music Library & Nelson Mandela Foundation,). I participated in the UNESCO-IASA Global Magnetic Tape Alert Project and fully translated its official documents into Chinese to promote the initiative across Chinese-speaking regions. I led the bid and organization of the IASA Preservation Training Programme in Shanghai in 2023 and its annual report and international symposium in Guangxi in 2024, expanding IASA’s influence in China. Becoming a member of the IASA Training & Education Committee in 2024, I took part in multiple international training projects and committee affairs. I was honored with the Carl Fleischhauer Award in 2025, the first recipient of this award from China. I also keep engaging with IASA’s annual conferences to share research and advance academic exchanges globally.

Part 2: My Aims as the Board Member 
Firstly, as a co-founder of the Alliance for Music Archives of Universities and Research Institutions in China, I have built extensive professional networks across Chinese-speaking regions and East Asia. If elected to the Board, I will further strengthen regional cooperation between China and IASA, promote the establishment of an IASA China or Asian Branch to implement IASA’s philosophies, principles and standards locally and expand its global presence.

Secondly, drawing on my experience in cross-border projects, overseas internships and institutional exchanges across Asia, Africa and Europe, I will make full use of my global connections, and I plan to facilitate inclusive cross-cultural, interdisciplinary and inter-institutional cooperation, boost knowledge sharing and resource integration, foster dialogue linking local practices with international standards, and further elevate IASA’s worldwide influence.

Thirdly, serving as a university researcher and educator, I prioritize the disciplinary systematization of audiovisual archiving and the cultivation of emerging young generation. I plan to launch specialized courses and seminars on audiovisual archiving, incorporate IASA publications into the textbook list. Besides, my 2025 translated work Translation Collection of Sound Archival Studies introduces international theories to Chinese academia, and my upcoming monograph on overseas audiovisual archives will fill relevant research gaps in China. Through curriculum building and academic publications, I aim to attract and nurture young practitioners for the field.

Cadu Marconi (candidate for Vice-President)

BIOGRAPHICAL STATEMENT

I am an amateur musician and hold a Master's degree in History from the Universidade Federal Fluminense (Niterói/Rio de Janeiro-Brasil), with studies focused on the Political History of Latin America and the Caribbean. Since 2006, I have worked at the National Archives of Brazil, performing duties related to audiovisual and sound preservation, and conducting activities to disseminate the sound and audiovisual collections in seminars and congresses in the field. Currently, I am the head of the Audiovisual and Sound Document Reformatting Service, responsible for digitizing various sound, video, and film formats. Since 2017, I have organized activities that are part of the International Archive Film Festival, "Arquivo em Cartaz" (“Archive on Screen”), such as a workshop focused on making short films with archival material, and workshops on listening to the sound collection. Since 2025, I am part of the Working Group on Musical Archives of ALA – Asociación Latinoamericana de Archivos (Latin American Association of Archives). I have been a member of IASA since 2017, presenting papers at the 2017, 2022, and 2023 Conferences.

VISION STATEMENT

I have been a member of IASA for almost ten years, and the Association has been a fundamental reference throughout my career as an audiovisual and sound archive professional, especially regarding standards, formats, and best practices.

As a professional at the National Archives of Brazil since 2006, and as someone who has followed IASA’s initiatives over the years, I have seen the value of a global exchange of experiences. I believe IASA has an opportunity to further strengthen its presence in regions that have been historically less represented, bringing new perspectives to our collective work (particularly Latin America, where rich audiovisual and sound heritage and innovative preservation practices can contribute to the future of the Association).

I support expanding local IASA events and strengthening the ambassador network, creating more opportunities 
for participation closer to our members’ communities. At times of energy constraints and geopolitical instability, inequalities become barriers to international travel, so we need creative and sustainable ways to keep our community connected.

Building on the achievements of previous leadership, I believe IASA must continue evolving, exploring new approaches to longstanding challenges.

I would also like to contribute to initiatives that make the work of IASA members more visible worldwide, through the journal, digital platforms, and other communication channels. Sharing our members’ experiences and achievements will reinforce the truly global identity of our Association.

Andrew Martin (candidate for Vice-President)

BIOGRAPHICAL STATEMENT

I am an audiovisual preservation professional with extensive experience in the stewardship, digitisation, preservation, and accessibility of cultural heritage collections. I currently serve as the Digital Preservation Coordinator at the National Museum of Australia, where I lead initiatives that support the long-term preservation, management, and accessibility of the Museum’s digital collections.

I maintain strong connections with community-led historical societies and regional museums, and I value the critical role that local collecting organisations play in preserving regional heritage. These experiences have reinforced my belief that sustainable preservation practice must support organisations of all sizes and capacities, from national institutions to volunteer-led community collections.

I also have a strong interest in First Nations archives and in culturally informed frameworks for the preservation, management, and access of heritage materials, particularly approaches that recognise community authority, cultural sensitivity, and respectful access practices.

I have been an active member of the International Association of Sound and Audiovisual Archives (IASA) for many years and currently serve on the Executive Board as Vice-President (Communications). Previously, I served as Secretary of the IASA Technical Committee and contributed significantly to TC-06 Guidelines for the Preservation of Video. I also remain actively committed to the ongoing work of TC-07 and broader technical and professional development initiatives within IASA.

As a member of the Executive Board, I have worked collaboratively to expand IASA’s communications and support international collaboration across the audiovisual archiving community.

VISION STATEMENT

As a candidate for a Vice-President role within the International Association of Sound and Audiovisual Archives (IASA) Executive Board, I am committed to building on the strong foundations established over the past three years while supporting continuity, collaboration, and sustainable growth across the Association.

A key priority for me is continuing to expand member-focused professional development opportunities, particularly accessible online workshops and knowledge-sharing initiatives that connect practitioners across regions, institutions, and career stages. I was pleased to co-lead the 2025 workshop, Practical Quality Control for Audiovisual Archives, alongside Junelle Ward and Joshua Ng, and I would like to see IASA continue to develop practical, skills-based programming that responds directly to members' needs and emerging challenges within the profession.

I am also committed to strengthening diversity, equity, and inclusion across IASA’s activities and leadership by supporting greater participation and visibility for members from underrepresented nations and communities. This includes encouraging broader access to online training opportunities, fostering international collaboration, and creating pathways for members from regions with fewer resources or smaller professional networks to share expertise and participate more actively within the Association. I believe IASA is strongest when it reflects the diversity of the global audiovisual archiving community and creates meaningful opportunities for all members to contribute and connect.

Another area I would like to advance is developing a mentoring program that supports emerging professionals and fosters stronger connections across the membership. Creating opportunities for guidance, collaboration, and professional exchange will help strengthen the future of the audiovisual archiving field.

I strongly support continuity within the Executive Board and value the experience and institutional knowledge of current and past leadership as IASA continues to grow and evolve.

Mengchun Tsai (candidate for Vice-President)

BIOGRAPHICAL STATEMENT

I am an audiovisual preservation specialist and preservation manager based in Taiwan, with more than ten years of experience in film preservation, digitization, restoration, collection management, and preservation infrastructure development. I currently work as a freelance audiovisual archivist, providing consulting services on audiovisual preservation, digitization workflows, and archival image management.

From 2015 to 2018 and again from 2021 to 2025, I worked at the Taiwan Film and Audiovisual Institute (TFAI) as Technical Specialist, Head of Film Restoration, and Head of Collection Management. During this period, I helped establish TFAI’s in-house film digitization and digital restoration workflows, drawing on professional training at L’Immagine Ritrovata in Bologna, Italy. I also led projects related to preservation facility planning, collection management, and workflow development.

Originally trained as an astronomer, I bring a multidisciplinary perspective to audiovisual preservation. I also gained international professional experience while working at Bavaria Film in Germany from 2019 to 2020. Beyond my institutional work, I am committed to strengthening international cooperation and regional capacity building in audiovisual preservation. I have participated in three IASA conferences since 2019 and attended seven SEAPAVAA conferences and meetings over the past decade. These experiences have enabled me to build professional networks and contribute to collaborative projects across the Asia-Pacific region. I believe that sustainable preservation depends on knowledge sharing, strong regional partnerships, and support for institutions developing preservation programs and infrastructure.

VISION STATEMENT

IASA maintains a well-established membership base across Europe, North America, Australia, and New Zealand. In contrast, its presence in East Asia and Southeast Asia remains relatively limited. Membership within the region is concentrated in a small number of countries, while several countries with active audiovisual heritage communities have little or no representation within the Association. Furthermore, IASA continues to be perceived by many professionals in the region primarily as an organization focused on audio archives, limiting awareness of its broader expertise in audiovisual preservation.

The 2025 joint conference between IASA and SEAPAVAA presents an opportunity to strengthen cooperation between the two organizations. As the leading regional network for audiovisual archives in Southeast Asia and the Pacific, SEAPAVAA provides access to a diverse community of archives, broadcasters, cultural institutions, universities, and preservation professionals. This regional reach complements IASA’s strengths in professional standards, technical expertise, training resources, and international networking.

Through a structured partnership, IASA and SEAPAVAA can work together to expand regional membership, increase professional engagement, and strengthen the visibility of IASA across East Asia and Southeast Asia. Joint activities, including training programs, workshops, mentoring initiatives, and knowledge-sharing opportunities, can facilitate the transfer of technical knowledge and professional resources to institutions with limited access to preservation expertise.

Such collaboration would create new pathways for membership growth, broaden participation in IASA activities, and strengthen the Association’s long-term impact throughout the region.

Pedro Felix (acclaimed for Secretary General)

BIOGRAPHICAL STATEMENT

Holding a degree in Anthropology, my academic research has been focused on sound and music industries, sound technology, sound heritage, and sound archives. I conceived and coordinated an European project (HeritaMus; 2015–2018) aimed at designing a digital tool for the collaborative curation of heritage, both tangible (phonographic materials) and intangible (musical knowledge and practices).

Throughout my professional career, I worked on an UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage proposal doing fieldwork, exhibition curation, and gathering data on phonographic heritage / discographies (from 2005 until 2010, the year of the successful inscription). Subsequently, I coordinated the digitisation program of the phonographic collection of the Fado Museum and the creation of their sound archive (2011–2018). I also worked on the organisation of several public and private sound archives and phonographic collections.

In addition, I have carried out sound recordings, digitisation, and restoration work involving historical sound carriers. Some of this work has been published in several critical reissues of historical recordings.

Since 2019, I have been coordinating the implementation of the Portuguese National Sound Archive, which is expected to become operational in 2027.

As a member of IASA for nearly a decade, I have participated in several committees and served as Secretary-General between 2023 and 2026.

VISION STATEMENT

The role of the Secretary-General is, above all, to document the association’s operations, ensure compliance with IASA Constitution, and listen to the needs and interests of the community, giving voice to these concerns within the work of the Executive Board.

Over the last few years, the infrastructural modernisation of IASA was a priority.

Now, I believe it is time:

• to work towards deepening IASA's presence in the Arab world and across East and Southeast Asia, following a successful cycle of engagement in Latin America and Africa. 
• to bring major reference institutions to the core of our community, encouraging them to cooperatively share their accumulated knowledge with smaller, newly created, or emerging institutions, whose activities often take place in politically and financially challenging contexts.
• to promote IASA as a fundamental resource for regions with a lower critical mass in the field of sound and audiovisual archives. 
• to operationalise supranational support units capable of responding to complex emergency situations, which are, unfortunately, becoming increasingly frequent.

Through these efforts, the aim is not only to reinforce the sustainability of the Association and strengthen the community of sound and audiovisual archives, but also to make IASA more present in the daily life of our community, continuing to establish it as a reference point and a technical network of excellence capable of supporting and assisting the institutions and specialists that constitute its membership.

Nadia Lai (acclaimed for Treasurer)

BIOGRAPHICAL STATEMENT

Nadia Lai has worked as head of cataloguing and training at the Swiss National Sound Archives in Lugano since September 2015. She mainly deals with data quality controls, data consistency, cataloguing rules as well as with the training of the Swiss National Sound Archives staff. In September 2023 she was also appointed Deputy Head of the Swiss National Sound Archives. 

Nadia earned a degree in English Literature and Science of Religions at the University of Fribourg in 2001 and a post-graduate certificate in Information and Documentation Science at the School of Business Administration of Geneva and the University of Geneva in 2007.

Since her arrival at the Swiss National Sound Archives, Nadia has regularly attended the IASA Conferences and given presentation on various subjects related to cataloguing and collection management. Since January 2022 she is chair of the Training and Education Committee and since September 2023, she is part of the EB as Treasurer.

Her appointment as IASA Treasurer represent a role quite unlike Nadia’s usual tasks. However, this role and the associated tasks have quickly captured Nadia’s enthusiasm and made her even more aware of the importance of only apparently purely administrative tasks. 

VISION STATEMENT

Since the moment it was founded, IASA has achieved many goals and has established itself as a leading name in the sound and audiovisual domain. The challenges that IASA faces today have changed and they are inextricably related to financial issues: budget cuts, political instability, wars are around the corner, and the loss of member and the income they provide can seriously affect the IASA and its work. 

Thanks to the excellent work of past EBs, IASA is still in in good financial health and whilst it is fundamental to maintain, and if possible to improve this condition, it is as well important that IASA’s reserves are utilized at best to make IASA’s work progress and advance. 

Projects such as the relocation within the European Community are functional and can certainly help improve or even attain financial stability. However, training in all its form, research and scientific publications in the sound and audiovisual domain should be the main targets of IASA’s continued efforts and investments. These are strategical areas of interest and define IASA’s identity. They are the key to retaining and attracting new members, who, besides continually guaranteeing an income to IASA, will bring with them new ideas, new strategies and visions. 

Marija Dumnić Vilotijević (acclaimed for Editor)

BIOGRAPHICAL STATEMENT

Marija Dumnić Vilotijević serves as the Managing Editor of IASA Journal (2023–). She holds MA (2010) and PhD (2016) in ethnomusicology from Faculty of Music of the University of Arts in Belgrade. She is a Senior Research Associate at the Institute of Musicology of Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts (working at various digitization projects since 2009 and as employed researcher since 2011). During doctoral studies, she specialized at the Institute of Ethnology and Folklore Studies with the Ethnographic Museum of the Bulgarian Academies of Sciences (2012) and at the Phonogrammarchiv of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (2013). She has served as the Chair of the Research Archives Section of the International Association of Sound and Audiovisual Archives (2021–2026). In the International Council for Traditions of Music and Dance she served as the Vice-Chair of the Study Group for Audiovisual Ethnomusicology (2022–2025), and currently she is active as the Chair of ICTMD National Committee for Serbia (2024–). She was also a member of the Governing Board of the Institute of Musicology SASA (2022–2026). Marija participated in programing and organizing of numerous scholarly events. She authored numerous publications in Serbian and in English, participated in many conferences organized by musicological, ethnomusicological and popular music studies organizations, and delivered lectures on her research topics. She is focused on Serbian and Balkan folk and popular music practices, based on archival and field work, with musical and contextual analysis. She recently has done a research of music and dance within Belgrade refugee community from Burundi. For the book Sounds of Nostalgia: History of Old Urban Music in Serbia (2019, in Serbian) she won the prize of the Institute of Ethnography SASA.

Marija Dumnić Vilotijević co-edited and edited several books of abstracts, proceedings and thematic journal issues. She also edited archival audio and music scores publications. Her current experience with journal editing includes the membership in the Editorial Board of IASPM Journal and the Advisory Board of SIBE Trans. From 2023 she was active as the Managing Editor of the Journal of the International Association of Sound and Audiovisual Archives, and from 2026 she contributes to the scientific journal Muzikologija – Musicology (published by the Institute of Musicology SASA) as the Editor-in-Chief.

VISION STATEMENT

During my work with Jennifer Vaughn as the Editor of IASA Journal, I had the opportunity to learn how a well-organized journal and a constructive Editorial Board operate. Through excellent collaboration, during which I witnessed a highly professional approach toward authors and peer-reviewers, I gained valuable experience that I would like to continue contributing to the further development of this traditionally respected journal. As a non-native English speaker, I hope that this international journal will continue to support authors and reviewers coming from linguistically and intellectually diverse local contexts, as well as scholars and professionals, and that it will be recognized as a platform through which a wide variety of archives, archival projects and approaches are presented. I would also strive to continue, with equal success, the work of the previous IASA Editors in editing special and technical publications.

Bright Joshua (acclaimed for Web Manager)

BIOGRAPHICAL STATEMENT

Bright Joshua is the Chief Archivist at the National Records and Archives of Malawi and currently serves on the Executive Board of the International Association of Sound and Audiovisual Archives board (IASA) as Web Manager, contributing to the association’s digital communication, online presence, and member engagement initiatives. In this role, he has supported the maintenance and development of IASA’s website, helped facilitate the dissemination of information to members worldwide, and contributed to strengthening the association’s digital infrastructure and outreach activities.

His professional interests focus on the preservation and accessibility of audiovisual heritage, the application of technology in archives, and the role of archives in shaping collective memory, identity, and cultural heritage. He holds a Master of Science in Informatics and Bsc in Mathematical Sciences Education, and continues to pursue scholarly work on digital preservation and archival access.

As a candidate for the position of Web Manager, Bright brings a combination of archival expertise, digital skills, governance experience, and a strong commitment to supporting IASA’s mission. He is dedicated to ensuring that IASA’s online platforms remain effective, accessible, and responsive to the needs of its diverse international membership.

VISION STATEMENT

My vision as IASA Web Manager is to strengthen and modernize the association’s digital presence so that it effectively supports members, promotes audiovisual heritage, and advances IASA’s strategic objectives. Having served as IASA’s Web Manager and as a member of the Executive Board, I have gained valuable insight into the association’s digital needs and opportunities. Over the next three years, I hope to build on the progress already achieved by enhancing the accessibility, usability, and sustainability of IASA’s online platforms while creating more opportunities for member engagement, collaboration, and knowledge sharing.

A key priority during this period will be the migration of IASA’s website to its new platform. This transition presents an important opportunity to improve user experience, enhance performance and security, and create a more sustainable digital environment for the association. My goal is to ensure seamless access to conference information, publications, training resources, committee activities, and membership services, while making content easier to find, navigate, and use for members and the wider audiovisual archiving community.

I also aim to make IASA’s digital content more inclusive and accessible to our diverse international membership, while strengthening integration with social media and other digital tools to improve communication, engagement, and visibility. As audiovisual archives continue to evolve in a rapidly changing technological landscape, IASA’s online presence should reflect its role as a leading global forum for professional exchange and collaboration.