Lauren Sorensen, a 2007 graduate of the Moving Image Archiving and Preservation (MIAP) program in NYU Tisch's Department of Cinema Studies, has been elected to the Association of Moving Image Archivists (AMIA) Board of Directors in the dual role of Secretary and Director of the Board. AMIA is a "non-profit professional association established to advance the field of moving image archiving by fostering cooperation among individuals and organizations concerned with the acquisition, description, preservation, exhibition, and use of moving image materials." Sorensen will begin her two-year term of office at AMIA's General Membership Meeting scheduled for November 12, 2016.
An AMIA member since entering the MIAP program in 2005, Sorensen is a PhD student in UCLA’s Information Studies department. Also a consultant and researcher, Lauren specializes in video preservation, metadata, independent media, and digital archives. Her past positions have included Digital Conversion Specialist for the American Archive of Public Broadcasting at Library of Congress, Preservation Project Manager for the Bay Area Video Coalition, Assistant Director at Canyon Cinema, among others. She also serves on the board of the Electronic Media Specialty Group of American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works, and co-founded AMIA's annual Hack Day, a collaboration with the Digital Library Federation.
As Secretary of the Board, Sorensen aims to "cultivate meaningful, ongoing efforts towards diversity and inclusion, supporting member-led diversity task forces to amplify and invite traditionally marginalized voices into our community." She will also focus on engaging the AMIA membership, supporting AMIA student chapters, and building collaborative relationships with partner organizations. Congratulations, Lauren!