ORAL HISTORY AND THE STUDY OF CONTEMPORARY BRITISH POLITICS

Oral history constitutes one of the core research methodologies of the contemporary political historian. From interviews with former Cabinet ministers and high-ranking officials to the recorded testimonies of grassroots activists and ordinary citizens, oral history can enrich and complicate narratives of change and continuity about government and politics in the recent past. It also poses considerable intellectual, ethical and practical challenges both to researchers conducting their own oral history projects and those utilising the archived oral sources collected by others.

This event will bring together early-career (defined as within 10 years of award of PhD) researchers and a small number of more established scholars to reflect on the value of oral history for the study of British politics since 1945. The sessions will showcase new research in the field and consider key methodological, ethical and practical issues, such as project design and recruitment, the deposit and re-use of recordings, and the dissemination of oral history beyond the academy.

The event, hosted in partnership between the School of History, the Mile End Institute, and the British Library, forms part of a wider programme of activity on the theme of Rethinking Contemporary British Political History, which is funded by a British Academy’s Rising Star Engagement Award held by Dr Helen McCarthy. 

Further information on Oral History and the Study of Contemporary British Politics [PDF 338KB]