Ryan Leimkuehler

Ryan Leimkuehler's research interests focus on the theory and practice of archives and records management, with particular emphasis on the intersections of archival administration, digital preservation, and institutional accountability. His work examines how archival and records management programs can support effective governance, transparency, and long-term access to information in complex organizational environments, especially within higher education and government contexts. A central strand of his research explores disaster preparedness, response, and recovery in archives and records management, including how institutions document, preserve, and interpret records created during periods of crisis. Related to this is his interest in resilience-building practices, policy development, and training that enable organizations to respond proactively to risk while ensuring continuity of memory and operations. Ryan also engages deeply with questions of archival silence, representation, and inclusive collecting. His scholarship and presentations investigate how historically marginalized communities are represented in archival collections, and how archivists can address gaps in the historical record through ethical collecting, oral history, and community-engaged archival practices. Additional research interests include the management and preservation of digital records and data, the role of archives in teaching and learning, and the impact of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence on records creation, access, and archival description. Across these areas, his work emphasizes the archivist's role as educator, collaborator, and steward of both institutional memory and community history. List of Research Interests: - Archival administration and records and information management (RIM) - Digital archives, digital preservation, and data governance - Disaster preparedness, response, and recovery in archives - Institutional accountability, transparency, and compliance - Archival silences, inclusive collecting, and community-centered archives - Oral Histories collection, administration, and preservation - Archives as sites of education, memory, and community healing - Emerging technologies, artificial intelligence, and archival practice - Teaching, training, and professional development in archival education