New network for Glasgow’s cultural historians

A new Cultural History of Glasgow Network launches on Monday 18 March. The project intends to bring together those with an interest in Glasgow’s cultural history, and is being led by Dr Elaine Moohan, Senior Lecturer in Music at The Open University.

The Network will provide professional researchers and enthusiastic amateurs alike a space to share their work and experience, to develop their skills, and to find potential collaborators.

Aimed at users of Glasgow’s City Archives and delivered in partnership with Glasgow Life, the Network will see a number of workshops, study days and public events such as concerts take place at Glasgow Life venues over the next two years.

The first meeting of the Network will see Dr Moohan and Dr Irene O’Brien, Senior Archivist at the Glasgow City Archives, introduce the project and the Archives as well as teaching participants how to handle archival material. It will be held at the Mitchell Library on Monday 18 March.

Dr Moohan said:

“These workshops are open to researchers with all levels of experience. Whether you’re starting out learning about your family history, or have spent decades in archives, we all have skills, experience, and knowledge to share.

“All participants will be encouraged to develop their research and presentation skills by contributing to the public events and choice of key materials for digitisation. It doesn’t matter if you don’t already have a clear idea for your own research project – we can guide you to contribute to a larger project.”

Dr O’Brien said:

“The Glasgow City Archives holds documents that preserve the city’s history from the late twelfth century through to the present day and is key to understanding Glasgow’s history and development.

“We are keen that this project considers ‘culture’ in the widest possible sense, as well as exploring the environment that allows culture to be supported and flourish – for example, transport, council policy, international exhibitions – and the various collections in the Archives will allow that to happen.

“We’re delighted that the first workshop will bring together not only some of our regular researchers, but also those involved with local history as well as archives and museums staff.”

The project is funded by a grant from the Royal Society of Edinburgh and will run to the end of 2020.

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