Image and Research Conference | Servei de Gestió Documental, Arxius i Publicacions (SGDAP)

The 19th Image and Research Conference, which will take place in Girona on 19 and 20 November 2026, aims to be a space for reflection on the management of photographic and audiovisual heritage. Over two days, professionals in archiving, heritage, photography, research and technology will share experiences and methodologies related to technological innovation, access to collections, heritage assessment and conservation.

The programme combines keynote lectures, presentations and debates to analyse the current challenges facing the sector and to explore new ways of preserving, studying and disseminating visual heritage.
The sessions on 18 and 21 November will be devoted to practical workshops.

The Conference is structured into four thematic blocks:

Block 1: Innovation
This block focuses on the impact of new technologies on image management and analysis. The presentations will address emerging functionalities in image formats and the applications of artificial intelligence in visual reading and interpretation. The contributed papers will explore topics such as digital preservation, metadata, management software and 3D technologies applied to archival collections.
Block 2: Access and Creativity
This block explores how photographic archives can generate new forms of access and interpretation. It includes a debate on bias in artificial intelligence and examines the potential of automated visual analysis, along with the ethical challenges it entails. The contributed papers will address narrative creation, the dissemination of collections and citizen participation.

Block 3: Heritage
This block addresses the assessment and management of photographic heritage from both cultural and economic perspectives. The presentations will focus on the evaluation of collections and the management of image rights, complemented by a dedicated debate. The contributed papers will cover topics such as archival processing, intellectual property, image banks and the economic sustainability of heritage management.
Block 4: Conservation – Ángel Fuentes Memorial
This block focuses on the preservation of photographic and audiovisual archives and the current state of research in the field. The keynote presentation will review contemporary preservation criteria, while the contributed papers will address preventive conservation, restoration, digitisation and the effects of climate change on heritage collections.