We are delighted to introduce The Archivist’s Hub, a new digital space designed to bring our unique historical collections to the public. This platform serves as a shared bridge between academic research and public curiosity, making our archival treasures accessible to everyone.
To celebrate this launch, we are inviting researchers, community members, and Bedford alumni to share what fascinates them. This is an open invitation to write about the specific items or records within our collections that capture your interest.
Rather than general anecdotes, we are looking for pieces that centre on a particular object, document, or photograph from our archive.
Our inaugural community contributions are already highlighting the rich research potential of the archive, beginning with 'Playing with Gender' - a fascinating piece exploring early 20th-century theatrical cross-dressing, which our doctoral placement students created earlier this year.
Several exciting upcoming features are also on the horizon, spotlighting remarkable lives found within our records:
- Geraldine Jebb: A look into the vital wartime contributions and leadership of the principal who guided Bedford College through the challenges of the Second World War.
- Lore Segal: An exploration of the life and legacy of the beloved children's author and novelist, who arrived in the UK via the historic Kindertransport.
Visit the Archivist's Hub here.
Focusing on Bedford History: A Call for Alumni Contributions
We want to explicitly emphasise that Bedford's history is a major focus of this space. We warmly welcome all Bedford alumni to contribute to this growing digital repository. The Bedford College collection contains decades of foundational history and vibrant student life. Whether you want to analyse a recent research discovery or share a reflection inspired by a specific piece of college history, your perspective helps bring these records to life.
We want this process to be rewarding, not an inconvenience. Our submission guidelines are straightforward, welcoming everything from focused historical reflections to structured research notes.
To explore the inaugural collections or find out how to share your piece, please visit The Archivist’s Hub, or contact us directly at archives@rhul.ac.uk.
