Accessing Archives and Special Collections

Material may be consulted by appointment with the University's Archivist, M Sarah Wickham .

 Tel: +44 (0)1484 473 168

archives @ hud.ac.uk (address protected from spambots; to email please remove spaces in this email address)

A range of services including research and copying are available for those unable to visit in person - more details.

Please note that all researchers will be expected to abide by the searchroom rules which help to protect the precious material for the future.

Catalogues of some archives and special collections are available on request - please see the detailed listings on the Archives and Special Collections pages for details.

Why use Archives & Special Collections?

Using material held in Archives & Special Collections can benefit your research in several ways:

• it's primary evidence, rather than secondary sources. Remember primary sources are still subject to bias, and must be handled with caution. But they aren’t subject to the mediation and further layers of bias of secondary sources. Archival and special collections materials take you closer to the people, events and themes you are studying.
• There's the ‘tingle factor’ - the thrill and inspiration that comes from handling and reading old books and documents, personal diaries, intimate letters and first-hand accounts of historic events.
• You will enhance your research skills and develop a critical approach to research.
• You will have the opportunity to make original contributions to knowledge. You can make genuine discoveries, or reinterpret sources that have been used before.

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