ABSTRACT
Archival education has been offered in the Nordic countries at the university level for almost 50 years and has developed from short courses to full bachelor's and master's programmes, followed by the establishment of PhD programmes. This chapter provides an overview of the state of archival education in the Nordic countries, asking whether there exists a Nordic model in the field. There are significant differences in length and scope, educational level, and disciplinary approach among the study programmes. Based on an analysis of course descriptions and study plans, a distinction can be made between programmes emphasising the management of records and archives, and those emphasising collection and mediation of archives as social memory and cultural heritage. This demonstrates different perspectives on the purpose of the professions, and on the role of records and archives in society. However, there are also common traits, which might be features of a Nordic model. These include conceptualising the role of archives within Nordic democracy, approaches to records work that rely on legal compliance and the rule of law, and an emphasis on citizens’ right to information.
