Life history and life writing research uses life story - whether in the form of oral history, personal narrative, autobiography or biography - as a primary source for the study of history and culture.
Life history and life writing research uses life story - whether in the form of oral history, personal narrative, autobiography or biography - as a primary source for the study of history and culture. Life stories capture the relation between the individual and society, the local and the national, the past and present and the public and private experience. Research involves grappling with theories of memory, relationship and self representation, and with debates about literacy and orality. Many disciplines contribute to the field, including history, sociology, anthropology, literary philosophy, cultural studies and psychology. Life history and life writing researchers present their work in many forms. As well as academic publications, we contribute to radio and television documentaries, auto/biographical drama, reminiscence work, digital and video presentations and exhibitions. Life history and life writing research is, of necessity, concerned with ethics and power relationships, and with the potential for advocacy and empowerment.
Free upcoming event:
'It's not just about pictures': An oral history of Art History at Sussex University
7 June 2023, 3pm-5.30pm The Keep Archives, Brighton
The Art History department of Sussex University hands over the oral history collections of its 50th anniversary to The Keep Archives.
In 2017, the Art History department at Sussex University celebrated its 50th anniversary with an oral history project: 14 interviews with former students, staff and faculty that form an archive of experiences from different perspectives and moments in the department’s history.
To mark the handing over of the project to the collections at The Keep, this event will include contributions from sociologist and library professional Dr Alice Corble, specialist in Sussex Modernisms, Dr Hope Wolf, and Emeritus Professor Maurice Howard OBE, as well as reflective responses on the project from a panel of current Art History students. All welcome, but please register as places are limited.
Drinks and nibbles provided. This is a free, in person only event. Disabled access. Information on getting to The Keep here.
Book your free ticket here: 'It's not just about pictures': An oral history of Sussex Art History Tickets, Wed 7 Jun 2023 at 15:00 | Eventbrite
Organised by Dr Alexandra Loske, Prof Flora Dennis and Prof Margaretta Jolly, with the support of the Centre for Life History and Life Writing Research
Saturday 24 June 2023, 8pm-10pm
Sallis Benney Theatre inside Brighton CCA, at 58-67 Grand Parade, Brighton BN2 0JY
Boyz 2 Men
We are delighted to sponsor and support this Brighton Book festival headline event, which will be exploring transitions from boyhood to manhood.
Hosted by the Brighton Book Festival in association with Brighton CCA, sponsored by the Centre for Life History and Life Writing Research, University of Sussex.
An esteemed panel of authors will be sharing the inspirations and personal experiences behind their depictions of boys and men in literature. They will look at stereotypes of manhood compared to the actual teachings across different cultures, and consider how experiences vary with race, sexuality, nationality, religion, gender identity and more.
Details and tickets here: Boyz 2 Men Tickets, Sat 24 Jun 2023 at 20:00 | Eventb
Past event: 19 March 2023, 9a.m. GMT (10a.m. CET), online
Lives in Colour: Pioneering Women in Colour History
A talk by Dr Alexandra Loske for ICA-Belgium
Free, all welcome, registration here.
On March 19 ICA-Belgium celebrated International Colour Day (ICD) with an online event. ICD celebrations aim to develop awareness of the importance of colour phenomena and culture in the broad domains of Art and the Humanities, Science, and Technology. As part of this, Alexandra Loske presented a talk on her research project, supported by the CLHWLR, on some of the overlooked women in the history of colour.
