HE & Archives: Forging a new relationship in EssexSarah GirlingCultural 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

• Founded in 1938

Essex Record Office

• 8 miles of archival shelving

• Home to the ESVA

Aims

• Target young people – break down barriers

Ages of visitors to ERO (PSQG Survey 2012)

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

Chart showing declining physical visits

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

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

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

What we delivered

• Behind-the-scenes tour– Searchroom– Repositories– Conservation Studio– ERO ‘Treasures’

What we delivered

• Behind-the-scenes tour• Case studies• Introduction to original documents

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

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

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

Evaluation

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

Would you use the ERO for your research?

Students’ perceptionsBeginning 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

What did the students enjoy?

• Research task• Seeing ERO ‘Treasures’• Tour• Case studies• Conservation• Learning about the range of sources

available

What did the students think?

[I] enjoyed realising how many sources [are] available for use and what knowledge they can provide

The activity was good as it gave an experience of what you would do for your dissertation etc.

[I enjoyed] viewing primary sources rather than having secondary sources

Archives and old records are much more accessible than I thought

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

Challenges

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

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

Contact

Sarah Girlingsarah.girling@essex.gov.uk

www.essex.gov.uk/EROwww.essexrecordofficeblog.co.uk

@essex archivewww.facebook.com/EssexRecordOffice