Katriona Lawrenson (BA History) blogs about her experiences of cataloguing the collection of John Grenville, a former professor at the University of Birmingham whose extensive archive of microfilms is an important source for US foreign policy at the turn of the 20th century.
Curiosity on Campus – 5 Weeks of Summer as an Undergraduate Researcher
For the Undergraduate Research Scholarship scheme, in summer 2017 Zoe Lumsden joined the Baudelaire Song Project, working with Prof Helen Abbott and Dr Caroline Ardrey. Zoe reflects on this opportunity to combine her passions for music and languages during her time on this unique research project.
The Sound of the ‘Big Bang’: Cataloguing the Douglas French Archive
As a special advisor to the former Chancellor of the Exchequer, Geoffrey Howe, Douglas French was able to gather an extensive (and hitherto unseen) private archive of material relating to the conduct of economic policy in the 1980’s and in particular to the ‘Big Bang’ in financial services of 1986. Here, John Tibbits (BA History and Political Science) explains how he was given the daunting task of digitising this archive.
Creating an Early English Wall Paintings Database
In summer 2017, Ellen Smith was given the task of helping to organise the records of early English wall paintings and so to preserve the memory of these important sources for future generations.
James Watt 2019: Workers’ Research Project
Christopher Olive shares his experiences of exploring the hidden histories of the workers of the engine business.
Sewers, Sermons & Shakespeare: Birmingham’s Civic Revolution
‘The people of Birmingham are surrounded by a richer past than we know’, writes Henry Jones, who worked on a project researching and celebrating the heritage of George Dawson and his Shakespeare Memorial Library in Birmingham.
Selly Oak Activism
Here Bryony Parsons presents some of the findings of her research into the history of social and political activism in Selly Oak in the 1960s, part of a project led by Dr Chris Moores, the Director of Modern British Studies.
Muslim, Christian and Other Engagements in Religious Pamphlets from Nigeria
Emily Ormondroyd spent a productive summer working on a project in the Department of African Studies and Anthropology, exploring religious pamphlets from Nigeria – here she shares her experiences.
The Women’s Legal Landmarks Project: Researching Women Behind the Law
Laura-Anne Goulding from the Birmingham Law School shares her experiences of undertaking research for the Women’s Legal Landmarks project, which marks landmarks from 950 AD right up to the present day.
An account of student writing in literature and linguistics – a tale of two disciplines
During the summer of 2017, Daisy Collins conducted research on the differences in academic writing from English Literature and English Language undergraduates. Dry as it may sound, this was one of the best experiences of her time at university, and here’s why!