Centre for Life History and Life Writing Research

Description

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, members 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.

Established in 1999, the Centre for Life History and Life Writing Research aims:

• to highlight University of Sussex experience and expertise in the field of life history and life writing research, both within the University and beyond;
• to link the theory and methods of oral history with the analysis and practice of life writing;
• to provide an institutional forum for Sussex faculty who have a research interest in these fields, encourage synergy from present activities, and provide a democratic forum for further developments;
• to establish institutional links with like-minded research centres in Britain and overseas;
• to seek funding for life history and life writing research projects and events;
• to facilitate University of Sussex recruitment of postgraduate students in the field of life history and life writing research;
• to consolidate, develop and promote the research element of Mass-Observation Archive activities.

Offers funding

No, this infrastructure does not provide funding.

Founding year

1999

Contact details

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Categorisation

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University affiliation(s)

University of Sussex
Brighton

Partner Infrastructures

Centre for Memory, Narrative and Histories

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Centre for Gender Studies, Sussex

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Sussex Centre for Cultural Studies (SCCS)

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Oral History Society

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