Working on the principle that more heads are better than one, we are pleased to introduce DATS Surgeries. These informal online Zoom forums will allow members to connect to discuss specific dress and textile queries, challenges and conundrums. Topics could include: cataloguing and terminology (e.g. which terms are being used to catalogue swimwear?; how do we decolonise dress and textile databases?), accessible and sustainable storage and mounting (e.g. pros and cons of different ways of storing parasols) or how do we make dress and textile collections – and DATS itself – more diverse. Each surgery will focus on one or more topics with an email circulated to members inviting those facing the same issue or who have found possible solutions to join the discussion.

If you have a query, dilemma or challenge that you would like to discuss with your peer subject specialists in a DATS Surgery please get in touch at events@dressandtextilespecialists.org.uk.