Aberystwyth University (AU) has several exquisite archival collections which can be drawn upon for academic research: old manuscripts and letters, rare books, legal texts, and a range of diplomatic documents relevant to the study of international history and politics. Within multiple departments, there exists a keen interest to make these collections more accessible to the student body and the public. More is to be done to encourage post-graduate students and early career researchers to exploit these archival resources in their academic endeavours.

Therefore, we intended to organise a two-day workshop that could showcase some of the rare materials AU possess, in order to help post-graduate students (and others interested) obtain the right information, skills and tools to access and explore AU’s archival resources. Our main consideration was to establish linkages between Departments, using the workshop as a platform, to share knowledge about collections and stimulate future interdisciplinary research projects. Post-graduate students would be provided with practical tips and suggestions, how to access the materials, analyse the information, and present their research to different types of audiences.

Our aim was to invite researchers (post-graduate and staff) from relevant departments, as speakers, to talk about their personal experiences with AU’s archival collections. They would highlight various types of usage, and the challenges that accompany research based on primary sources. In addition, we wanted to include representatives of Information Services and the National Library, to speak in more detail about the different collections in Aberystwyth, and possible avenues of research. Our local speakers would be accompanied by external guests, who would shed light on collection management and public outreach. This would bring outside knowledge and experience about archival collections to Aberystwyth, which could support future initiatives for collection exhibitions and relevant research projects.

Organising team: Quincy Cloet (IP), Kiri Kolt (HIST), John Wood (IP), Charlotte Botfield (IP), Sam Hutchinson (HIST), Abigail-Louise Monk (HIST), Philip Conway (IP).

For more information, please email quc@aber.ac.uk.