History Day 2022 | Human Discovery: Experiencing Science

A day of online interactive events for students, researchers & history enthusiasts to explore library, museum, archive and history collections across the UK & beyond.

History Day 2022 will have the theme “Human Discovery: Experiencing Science”. Participating organisations will share their collections on this theme in its broadest sense, including the everyday experiences and impacts of science and technology on ordinary people.  

There will be an exciting mix of live events and lots of additional content ready to share with you online.

Session 1 | People’s health histories and public policy  
17 November  11.00-12.30 | Online 

Can history help us analyse past medical crises and shape public health policy? What can history collections reveal about these histories? This session will explore the history of vaccinations and health crises and how understanding this can help to navigate and deal with modern medical crises. We will explore how library, archive and museum collections capture and document the effects and public experiences of health policy. 

The session will be chaired by Professor Philip Murphy, Director of History and Policy, at the Institute of Historical Research.  It will consist of a series of lightning talks followed by a discussion, highlighting how the work of historians and collections professionals contributes to our understanding of these histories. 

Speakers:

• Katie Birkwood (Rare Books Librarian, Royal College of Physicians)
• Victoria Cranna (Archivist, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine)
• Isabelle Chevallot (Assistant Librarian, Guildhall Library)
• Dr Elma Brenner (Research Development Specialist, Wellcome Library)
• Dr Tilda Watson (Archivist, Wellcome Sanger Institute)
  
  
  

Session 2 | Everyday Technology Firsts: Panel Discussion and Interactive Session 
17 November  14.30-16.00 | Online 

How has new technology transformed the lives of ordinary people through history? Join this session to share your own ‘Everyday Technology Firsts’, and discover stories from collections and projects. When did you first get a telephone – or a cordless phone, or a mobile? What labour-saving appliance was a game-changer for you or your family? Do you remember your first email? Whether you were an early adopter or a late-starter, join the conversation and share your memories, pictures and stories on our special Padlet or on Twitter, using hashtag #TechFirsts. 

The session will be chaired by Professor Catherine Clarke, Director of the Centre for the History of People, Place and Community, at the Institute of Historical Research.

Speakers:

• Dr Eve Colpus (Telephonic Youth)
• Helen Day (Ladybird Fly Away Home)
• Dr David Geiringer (Queen Mary University of London, speaking about research using Mass Observation Archive).
• Louis Platman (Museum of the Home)

This event is part of the Being Human festival, the UK’s national festival of the humanities, taking place 10–19 November 2022. For further information please see beinghumanfestival.org.

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