A new special online issue of the the leading journal Oral History, entitled ‘The Life Story in Practice’, presents for the first time a comprehensive volume of articles interrogating the life story methodology with numerous embedded links to audio files. This edition is an open-access (free to all). The life story in-depth biographical interview is central to the work of the British Library Oral History team encompassing National Life Stories (NLS www.bl.uk/nls); the oral history fieldwork charity established in 1987. NLS has supported this edition of the journal which stems from the papers and discussions at the NLS International Symposium on the Life Story, held at the British Library in summer 2023. .
We are confident it will be essential reading for scholars and practitioners, whether you are just setting out in oral history or have decades of experience. Download the pdf at https://www.ohs.org.uk/oral-history-online/.
The special issue addresses the topic of the life story from many angles, including:
-An exploration of the process of life story recording and how this contrasts with other oral history techniques
-The value of life story collections to to wider policy debates
-The specific challenges we face in archiving and providing public access to life story interviews
-Reviews of the life story in the context of oral history scholarship
The edition was edited by Mary Stewart (NLS Director) and Rob Perks (NLS Trustee and former Director), and the publication features contributions from many members of the National Life Stories team in conjunction with internationally acclaimed oral historians including Alex Freund, Indira Chowdhury, Doug Boyd, Don Ritchie and Alistair Thomson .
Read, listen, enjoy and feel free to contact the NLS and British Library oral history team with further questions and queries. For those interested in NLS’ ongoing projects our latest NLS Annual Review is available digitally at the British Library Research Repository [https://doi.org/10.23636/96rq-z652].
**If you’ll be attending the OHA Annual Meeting in Cincinnati this autumn then please join Doug Boyd, Rob Perks, Don Ritchie and Mary Stewart for a roundtable discursive session exploring themes from the special issue (currently programmed for 10am on Friday 1 November – but check the final programme when it’s live). **
Thanks to the journal article authors, the editors, designers and proof reader of Oral History, the Symposium attendees, the NLS team and Trustees and – of course – to all past and current interviewees.
Contact Information
Mary Stewart, Lead Curator Oral History & Director National Life Stories at the British Library
Contact Email: mary.stewart@bl.uk
URL: https://www.ohs.org.uk/oral-history-online/
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