Centre for Life History and Life Writing Research

Methods

We collected 60 audio-histories and ten video-histories. A key aspect of the project was its life story approach, involving in-depth preparation and interviewing. Biographical material about each interviewee was collected and we used the interviews as an opportunity to invite donations to the Women's Library of significant documentary material (for example, letters and diaries). The interviews were transcribed and the interviewees were given the opportunity to correct and amplify the transcript. The recordings were collected, documented and archived at the British Library.

This project drew on research by Dr. Rachel Cohen, Women's Liberation Movement Network, which mapped the state of the feminist archive across Britain. This project was based at the Women's Library, where it resulted in a major exhibition, and was funded by the Leverhulme Trust.

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Badge, The Women's Library Museum Collection, London Metropolitan University