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HE & Archives: Forging a new relationship in Essex

HE & Archives: Forging a new relationship in Essex. Sarah Girling Cultural Access, Learning and Participation Officer. University of Essex student visits. Essex Record Office Aims The team What we delivered Who took part Evaluation What next?. Essex Record Office. Based in Chelmsford

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HE & Archives: Forging a new relationship in Essex

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  1. HE & Archives: Forging a new relationship in Essex Sarah Girling Cultural Access, Learning and Participation Officer

  2. University of Essex student visits • Essex Record Office • Aims • The team • What we delivered • Who took part • Evaluation • What next?

  3. Essex Record Office • Based in Chelmsford • Founded in 1938

  4. Essex Record Office • 8 miles of archival shelving • Home to the ESVA

  5. Aims • Target young people – break down barriers

  6. Ages of visitors to ERO (PSQG Survey 2012)

  7. Aims • Target young people – break down barriers • Why University of Essex? • Give the students ideas for research topics – foster repeat visits • Increase use of Searchroom

  8. Chart showing declining physical visits

  9. Aims • Target young people – break down barriers • Why University of Essex? • Give the students ideas for research topics – foster repeat visits • Increase use of Searchroom • Introduce students to Seax, original documents and Searchroom technology

  10. Aims • Target young people – break down barriers • Why University of Essex? • Give the students ideas for research topics – foster repeat visits • Increase use of Searchroom • Introduce students to Seax, original documents and Searchroom technology • Critical awareness when using sources

  11. The Team • Neil Wiffen – PST Manager • Sarah Girling – Heritage Education Officer • Hannah Salisbury – Audience Development Officer • Ruth Costello – Archivist • Tony King – Senior Conservator • Martin Astell – Sound & Video Archivist • Archive Assistants Grahame Harris, Edd Harris, Gloria Harris and Sarah Ensor

  12. What we delivered • Behind-the-scenes tour • Searchroom • Repositories • Conservation Studio • ERO ‘Treasures’

  13. What we delivered • Behind-the-scenes tour • Case studies • Introduction to original documents

  14. What we delivered • Behind-the-scenes tour • Case studies • Introduction to original documents • Introduction to Essex Sound and Video Archive • Research task – in the Searchroom, using primary and secondary sources

  15. What we delivered • Behind-the-scenes tour • Case studies • Introduction to original documents • Introduction to Essex Sound and Video Archive • Research task – in the Searchroom, using primary and secondary sources • Discussion

  16. Who took part? • University of Essex made the visits a compulsory part of first year study, with students writing a reflective report on their visit • 77 first year History undergraduates took part

  17. Evaluation • Students’ opinions were asked at the beginning and the end of each day

  18. Would you use the ERO for your research?

  19. Students’ perceptions Beginning of the day: Dusty, old, strict, complex, lonely, difficult to understand, difficult to access, outdated, didn’t know what the ERO was, used by ‘important historians’ • End of the day: • More interesting, easier to use and more useful than expected; more variety than expected; can be used for more than strictly local history

  20. What did the students enjoy? • Research task • Seeing ERO ‘Treasures’ • Tour • Case studies • Conservation • Learning about the range of sources available

  21. What did the students think? Archives and old records are much more accessible than I thought [I] enjoyed realising how many sources [are] available for use and what knowledge they can provide [I enjoyed] viewing primary sources rather than having secondary sources The activity was good as it gave an experience of what you would do for your dissertation etc.

  22. What did the tutors think? Almost all the students gave positive comments in their reflective reports. Many of them said that they were inspired by the presentations on sources and would use the ERO in future research projects. Several of them also expressed interest in developing knowledge and experience of conservation and archive work. Dr. Amanda Flather, First Year Director, Department of History, University of Essex

  23. Challenges • Mobile phones • Engaging students in discussion • Group dynamics • Space/potential disruption

  24. What next? • We will repeat the visits in 2014 • We will work with second year students to help them choose dissertation topics • Building long-term relationship with the University of Essex

  25. Contact Sarah Girling sarah.girling@essex.gov.uk www.essex.gov.uk/ERO www.essexrecordofficeblog.co.uk @essex archive www.facebook.com/EssexRecordOffice

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