Tamara Rayan explores how Palestinians preserve collective memory amid the destruction of archives from 1948 to the present. Focusing on Ramallah, she examines archival practices in both the West Bank and U.S. diaspora communities. Based on ethnographic research, her work highlights decolonial record keeping and indigenous archival methods.This talk offers critical insight into cultural preservation under occupation, exile, and erasure.

Tamara Rayan is a PhD candidate in the School of Information at the University of Michigan, studying archives and digital curation. Their work focuses on representing the Palestinian diaspora and trauma in archival practices. They co-host the Archives & Heritage for Palestine Seminar Series and have published in Archival Science and Across the Disciplines.

Accommodation: If there is anything we can do to make this event accessible to you, please contact us. Please be aware that advance notice is necessary as some accommodations may require more time for the university to arrange. Email: -- warsansa@umich.edu