Meet the Archive Team

This week we thought an introduction to the team would be a good idea, so that our readers further afield* (see note at the end!) could get a better idea of who writes this stuff and who's been lurking in the archive office!

Our Glorious Leader is Dr Roberta Anderson, senior lecturer in History at Bath Spa University. It was Bobby's idea in 2011, to try to build a project based on the first haul of archive documents, and to fully explore oral history opportunities. Bobby advises, encourages and oversees the work here. We now have a suite of three work placement modules which provide the students with an excellent opportunity to learn about the workings of an archive through hands on experience.

Kate James is lead archivist, researcher and student mentor. Coming to BSU as a mature (only in years!) student in 2008, Kate has immersed herself in the world of history, dusty primary sources and oral history interviewing, and likes nothing better than a day of research and the waft of old paper. Gaining a BA in 2011 and an MA in 2012, a PhD is her next target. Her research will cover the history of Newton Park as an educational establishment and the oral history of place. Kate writes the blog each week, and occasionally goes home to cook meals.

Adam King, History and Heritage 2nd year, came on board last October, is interested in 18th and 19th century history. He is an avid reader of history books by authors such as Simon Schama and Norman Davies. He has an enthusiasm for researching the history of Newton Park.

Hayley Crymble is a 2nd year Historian, who has also been with the archive for 5 months. She has enjoyed discovering the pleasures of oral history interviewing, and getting to know the interviewees. She's not quite so entranced with scanning (its cold in that corridor!)

Richard Carpenter is the techno wizard. Let him tell you about his part in the work:

"My main role has been working on the transcription of interviews. Using some helpful software and my apparently legendary speed of typing acquired during my A level days, I have been able to almost half the time it takes to do them whilst still ensuring accuracy. Additionally, I have helped supervise the scanning process and set up our social media presence, including @BSUArchive  on Twitter, do give us a follow! At postgraduate level I am hoping to work on the digitisation of the archive for our website."

And by the way,  other 'Humanities at Work' students have been involved along the way: Rachel carried out the first interview and scanning tasks, back in the summer of 2011, and Chris continued with more scanning and research the following summer.

So that's the team. Although the current module ends in May, we hope we can continue to work together on future modules, and keep up the great momentum we've gained this year. With current developments, such as the move to the Corsham Court office, the exhibition and contribution to the book about our university, who knows what the future holds?

It's very exciting, and we look forward to sharing it with you, too!

(* According to the Blog stats, we have readers in UK, US, Germany, Netherlands and Denmark.)

Warm greetings to everyone. We hope you're liking the archive news so far. 

Let us know what you think! 

Best Wishes from the Archive Team

 xxx