Alison Cullingford

Alison Cullingford has extensive experience in library and collection management. Alison currently serves as the Head of Library and Collections at Durham Cathedral, where they are responsible for overseeing the management of various historical manuscripts, archives, printed books, artwork, and other treasures. Additionally, Alison is leading a project to digitize and make these collections accessible to a wider audience.

In their previous roles, Alison has held various positions in the archival field. Alison served as a Member of the Archive Service Accreditation Committee, which develops and oversees the archive accreditation standard. Alison was also the Special Collections Librarian at the University of Bradford, where they transformed the collections and achieved Archive Accreditation, making it the first English university to do so.

Alison has been actively involved in professional organizations and committees, including the Cathedral Archives, Libraries and Collections Association (CALCA) where they currently hold the role of Honorary Treasurer. Alison has also been a member of the J.B. Priestley Society Council, contributing their expertise as the curator of the J. B. Priestley Archive. Furthermore, Alison has been part of various committees and projects aimed at supporting and promoting archives and special collections in the higher education sector.

Alison'scommitment to promoting collaboration and emergency preparedness is evident through their involvement in the Yorkshire Rapid Response Network, a cooperative group of museums, libraries, and archives working together to address emergencies. Alison has served on the management committee and has been responsible for managing social media and marketing efforts.

Alison's contributions to the field have been recognized by their involvement as a peer reviewer for the Archive Accreditation Scheme and as a steering committee member for the Higher Education Archives Programme. Alison has also managed projects for Research Libraries UK, focusing on supporting staff in meeting challenges and increasing accessibility to unique collections.

Additionally, Alison has been actively involved in the CILIP Rare Books and Special Collections Group, holding the roles of Honorary Treasurer and Committee Member. These positions allowed their to develop organizational skills, collaborate with professionals in the field, and bring the special collections at the University of Bradford to a wider audience.

Overall, Alison Cullingford's work experience showcases their expertise in library and collection management, their dedication to promoting accessibility and collaboration, and their commitment to the preservation and promotion of historical material.

Alison Cullingford completed their undergraduate education at the University of York from 1985 to 1988, earning a Bachelor of Arts (Honors) degree in History. Afterward, they pursued a Master of Arts degree in Librarianship from The University of Sheffield, which they completed in the academic year 1991-1992.

In terms of additional certifications, Alison Cullingford obtained the following: Covid 19 Psychological First Aid from FutureLearn in July 2020 and Chartership Revalidation from CILIP in July 2015. Alison also holds CILIP Chartership, although the specific date of attainment is not provided.