Research Collaboration with Special Collections
Learn more about working with us to enhance, develop, and shape research projects that involve unique and distinctive collections.
As well as providing access to collections and learning opportunities through our wide range of services, collaboration in research is central to the role of Special Collections & Archives. We offer skills, knowledge and professional competencies to underpin research cultures focusing on unique and distinctive collections. Our co-curation seeks to actively support and develop excellence, creativity, and innovation through impactful interpretations and creative responses with students and academic partners as well as the wider Galleries, Libraries, Archives, and Museums (GLAM) sector.
Sorry, you need JavaScript to view this video
Sorry, you need JavaScript to view this video
- Collections Development
Scoping, advocacy, and acquisition around new unique and distinctive collections in line with our Collection Development Policy to support significant research cultures and activities.
- Digitisation
Creation of high-quality digital surrogates through specialist image capture, and management of migration to digital formats from obsolete media. See our Digitisation Service for more details.
- Metadata Creation
Production and refinement of standards-based descriptive and technical metadata linked to cataloguing, digitisation, transcription, and geo-spatial interpretations.
- Space and Infrastructure
Project management and input, including advocacy, design, and advice, around new physical and digital spaces and systems dedicated to collections curation, access, and promotion.
- Fostering Partnerships
Liaison with GLAM institutions within our professional networks to further aims and reach of projects and engender further collaboration.
- Knowledge Transfer
Sharing of and training in professional competencies covering the curation of rare books and archives, including dissemination within our sectors.
We have significant experience of working with post-doctoral and academic staff who have based their research projects around our collections, professional networks and curatorial practices. We can provide professional advice, contributions, or we can partner on projects at technician and investigator levels.
Collaborative Learning Hub
As part of AHRC’s World Class Labs programme, we have a flexible, digitally-enabled space, designed to support in person, hybrid or remote engagement with unique and distinctive collections. is the Collaborative Learning Hub as capacity for 40 in situ and is equipped with high-definition ceiling and desktop visualisers, cameras, and audio for blended collaborations globally.
Reading Room
Designed for lone scholars, our Reading Room provides a dedicated invigilated space for consultation of archives and rare books, with staff on hand to advice and assist on any follow on questions.
Get in touch
We have experience of working with post-doctoral and academic staff who have based their research projects around our collections, professional networks and curatorial practices. We can provide professional advice, contributions, or we can partner and co-design projects at Technician and Investigator levels.
We are happy to discuss and assist in shaping proposals, including funded research bids and signposting to others in the Galleries, Libraries, Archives, and Museums sector who may be a better fit for your research. We advise conversations at the earliest possible stage.