As Project Archivist for Enhanced Description, Eliscia surveys and analyzes existing description for single-item objects to create or enhance access to materials currently held in artificial topical collections within the Sophia Smith Collection of Women’s History. This work engages with collection creators, donors, and historical context to appraise materials for historical significance and research value. This work also includes inclusive and reparative descriptive practices and historical contextualization to highlight the presence of underrepresented groups and individuals within the topical collections. 

Previously Eliscia was project manager for the Review Appraisal and Triage of Mail (RATOM) Project, the Marshall T. Meyer intern for the Human Rights Archive at Duke University’s Rubenstein Rare Book and Manuscript Library, and a graduate research and teaching assistant at the University of North Carolina’s School of Information and Library Science. As a PhD candidate, her work examines the research practices of Ireland’s mother and baby homes investigative commission, including their information gathering and analysis, how diverse information sources influence final reportage, and the role of survivor-witness testimony.

Outside of work, she enjoys playing tabletop role-playing games, watching excellent bad movies with her husband, and continuously buying toys that her cats refuse to play with. 

Research & Professional Interests

Critical archives, records advocacy