John Hay Library: Living Archives: An Oral History Workshop Series (Session 3, in-person)

Interested in using interviews as part of your research? This workshop series explores the relationship between oral history and research interviewing, with an emphasis on thoughtful planning, ethical practice, and responsible stewardship.

Across three hands-on workshops, participants will learn how to develop an interview project, conduct research to prepare for an interview, create effective questions, establish rapport, navigate consent and release forms, and preserve interviews for future use. We'll consider the different purposes interviews can serve, from documenting a person's life story to exploring specific questions within a historical research project, and examine examples from academic, institutional, and community-based oral history projects.

No prior experience with archives, oral history, or historical research is necessary. All three sessions must be attended to receive an Oral History Certificate.Tuesday, October 6: How do you move from an idea to an interview-ready oral history project?

This hands-on session walks participants through the essential steps of planning an oral history initiative, including defining goals, conducting research, addressing sensitive subject matter, and preparing ethically. Participants will apply these concepts by collaboratively creating a mock oral history project plan, gaining practical tools they can adapt to academic or community settings.Tuesday, October 13: This interactive session guides participants through the full lifecycle of an oral history interview.

Topics include preparing interview questions, establishing consent and release forms, ethical responsibilities, and strategies for active listening. Grounded in the Six R's of Oral History Interviewing, participants will practice interviewing through mock sessions, gaining practical experience in conducting respectful, effective oral history interviews.Tuesday, October 20: This session focuses on the preservation and stewardship of oral histories once interviews are complete.

Archivists will introduce participants to archival workflows at Brown University and the John Hay Library, including preservation formats, access considerations, and ethical responsibilities. The workshop emphasizes how thoughtful preservation ensures oral histories remain accessible and meaningful for future generations.

While all three workshops are not required, attendance at all three is encouraged as different topics are covered at each session. Those who complete all three workshops will receive a certificate of completion.

Brown Students will have opportunities to apply for oral history project positions and conduct oral histories.RSVP is required. Limited to 30 participants per session.

Please note that you need to register for each workshop separately.These workshops are in-person at the John Hay Library for Brown community and affiliates. The workshop series will be offered again online, open to all, in November.