The National Archives
The National Archives is a non-ministerial department, and the official archive and publisher for the UK Government, and for England and Wales. We are the guardians of over 1,000 years of iconic national documents.
We are expert advisers in information and records management and are a cultural, academic and heritage institution. We fulfil a leadership role for the archive sector and work to secure the future of physical and digital records.
Research at The National Archives spans a variety of disciplines and a range of research interests. We collaborate on research projects with a number of different partners, and our research-active staff regularly contribute to and lead pioneering interdisciplinary research projects, publish in peer-reviewed journals, speak at academic conferences, and participate in postgraduate teaching and supervision.
The National Archives is recognised as an Independent Research Organisation by the Arts and Humanities Research Council. This means that we collaborate with international partners to conduct world-class interdisciplinary research projects and that we are eligible to apply to any of the UK’s seven research councils for funding. For more information, please see https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/about/our-role/
HOW LAHP STUDENTS WOULD BENEFIT FROM A PLACEMENT AT THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES
Placement work at The National Archives will focus on activities that enhance information about the contents of our document collections, improve access to records, broaden engagement to users beyond established academic and research communities, and support our role as archive sector lead. For the length of the placement, we will ensure that students are embedded in a small team, working closely with experienced specialists, but they will also work across TNA departments to gain a broad understanding of the varied work and wide responsibilities of this government organization. Depending on the department and the interests of the individual student, placement work might involve analyzing and reporting on survey data to support policy planning, contributing to cataloguing projects, or supporting digital humanities research. Students will have the opportunity to develop new skills and benefit from the unique experience of working in a research-active organisation which sits across both government and cultural heritage. For more information on our work and research interests, please see https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/about/our-research-and-academic-collaboration/
OPEN TO PLACEMENT PROPOSALS FROM LAHP STUDENTS AND SUPERVISORS
Yes
AREAS/DEPARTMENTS OPEN TO PLACEMENT PROPOSALS
TNA is pleased to invite LAHP students on placement for periods from four to twelve weeks, full or part time, depending on student requirements. We currently have placement opportunities in our Collections Expertise and Engagement department, our Archive Sector Development department, and our Research and Academic Engagement department. Project outcomes vary from project to project but student work may contribute to cataloguing projects, and therefore to our catalogue Discovery, to ongoing research projects, or support policy planning. Students may also have the opportunity to contribute to blog posts for The National Archives’ website and to public engagement events.
SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS FOR PLACEMENT PROPOSALS
TNA is pleased to invite LAHP students on placement for periods from four to twelve weeks, full or part time, depending on student requirements. We currently have placement opportunities in our Collections Expertise and Engagement department, our Archive Sector Development department, and our Research and Academic Engagement department. Project outcomes vary from project to project but student work may contribute to cataloguing projects, and therefore to our catalogue Discovery, to ongoing research projects, or support policy planning. Students may also have the opportunity to contribute to blog posts for The National Archives’ website and to public engagement events.
Placements are available on an ad hoc basis throughout the academic year.
CONTACT
Rachel Smillie, Head of Academic Partnerships research@nationalarchives.gov.uk or research@nationalarchives.gov.uk
