Bringing alive, and preserving for future generations, the essence of Bedford College
Dr Alex Sessa is pleased to return to his Alma Mater, Royal Holloway and Bedford New College, in the role of Bedford College Project Archivist.
He completed his PhD at the University of Southampton, focusing on History, Memory Studies, and the Holocaust. In 2023, he was awarded an honorary fellowship with the Parkes Institute for the Study of Jewish and non-Jewish Relations.
Over the years, he has undertaken cataloguing and archiving projects with the Imperial War Museum, The Wiener Holocaust Library, and the Landecker Digital Memory Lab at the University of Sussex. Additionally, he is currently writing a book focusing on United States history from the American Revolution up to the McCarthy era.
In the initial phase of the Bedford College Project Archivist role, Dr Sessa is working on familiarising himself with the archive service and Bedford College archive collection. This involves the exploration of the Bedford College archive to identify interesting material to highlight, and identify parts of the collection suitable for potential research activity. He will also be working on the planning and preparation phase of several projects, including the continuation of the Elizabeth Jesser Reid digitised letters transcription volunteer project, and an oral history project involving Bedford College alumni.
Dr Sessa is thrilled to be joining the Bedford Archive and very much looks forward to identifying creative ways to enhance access to this rich and fascinating collection.
The Bedford Archive
Carefully stored on Royal Holloway and Bedford New College's Egham campus is an extensive archive that spans every era of Bedford College. Seven rows of sturdy shelves are filled with boxes of photographs, letters, documents and books that provide a record of Bedford College since its earliest days. Alongside items of historic and academic importance are a huge variety of materials that showcase the student experience in living memory and every decade in between.
Appointment of a Project Archivist
Rich resources related to the history of the College remain under-explored so this role will be transformative for the Bedford College Archive, it’s visibility and accessibility. The post-holder's remit will include:
- Digitisation to enable archival material to be explored by new audiences and bring to light items of interest that have previously remained hidden within the archive
- Transcription and oral history projects
- Identifying material from the archive to be shared in Bedford Society communications, a bi-weekly blog series, emails and social media
- Outreach work and teaching in relation to the Bedford College archive, including promoting the archives and special collections via talks and workshops
“The post would offer the opportunity to record our memories in oral histories but also bring to attention the richness of the written and photographic material. Bedford College was pioneering in so many areas and the archival record makes that clear. I can say that for certain because I have used the archive. It’s something of which we can be very proud and certainly something well worth supporting. This post will help ensure that not just the name but the essence of the college, which we experienced, lives on. Financial support from our Bedford community will make this possible.”
Dr Claire Gobbi Daunton, Chair of the Bedford Society
Including a donation in your Will
If you live in England and Wales you can write a Will online, free of charge, with Octopus Legacy. Your bequest will help to secure the future of the role and ensure it can continue for years to come. A legacy gift of 1.75% would make an enormous difference and would still ensure that over 98% of your estate goes to those closest to you.
