How can oral history be used to explore the history of universities and the communities and places around them? Share ideas and try it out!

Tues 10 Oct 2023
16.00-18.00
Venue: Silverstone Building Room 302, University of Sussex

From critical analyses of curriculum design and student politics to commemorative celebrations of University or department anniversaries, oral histories have played a significant role in capturing the experience of Higher Education. Oral history methods have at the same time been a tool for community and working-class history-making, and for analysing class struggles over time.

This workshop started with short presentations from academics and practitioners who have explored both the Universities of Sussex and Brighton and the geographies and communities around them in oral history projects and archives. We then enjoyed a taster oral history experience as part of our round table discussion and questions.

Proudly featured Nicola Benge, community heritage practitioner of Mapping Mithras, exploring the University of Brighton’s Mithras House and its precursor, the Allen West factory, and the local Lewes Road area. Other contributors included Prof Ben Rogaly, co-author, with Becky Taylor of Moving Histories of Class and Community: Identity, Place and Belonging in Contemporary England, and Prof Margaretta Jolly and University photographer Stuart Robinson, who helped with, and in Stuart’s case was an interviewee for, the University’s Fifty Voices, Fifty Faces oral history in 2011.

Drinks and nibbles provided! This was an in-person event.

Free, all welcome

Disabled access

Registration required at: EVENTBRITE

Questions please contact E  Sarah.Watson@sussex.ac.uk