Please note that owing to the Covid-19 pandemic, face-to-face interviews are not currently taking place. If you’re interested in taking part in a remote interview, please contact us.
You’re invited to take part in our oral history project. Oral history is the recording of memories; it is the living history of your unique life experiences.
Before you decide whether or not you wish to participate please take time to read the following information carefully and discuss it with friends and relatives, if you wish. Please ask us if there is anything that is not clear or if you would like more information.
What is this project about?
We want to speak to feminists who live or have lived in Sheffield in order to collect, preserve and share their stories. We’re interested in finding out what you feel has contributed to making you a feminist, and anything you have done to challenge the patriarchy in any way at home, at work or in the wider community.
Who is organising the interviews?
This project is organised by a group of volunteers called Sheffield Feminist Archive. Our collection of oral history interviews and physical archive material is housed at Sheffield City Archives. The people who will be conducting the interviews are trained volunteers.
Why should I participate?
We’re asking feminists in Sheffield to take part in order to share your experiences and stories. We’d like to interview as wide a range of people as possible, in order to capture our city’s feminism in all its wonderful diversity. Taking part is entirely voluntary and it is up to you to decide whether or not to participate. If you do decide to take part, we’ll provide you with an information sheet and you will also be asked to sign a consent form. You are free to withdraw your consent at any time.
What happens if I decide to take part?
If you decide to be involved, an interviewer will contact you to arrange a time and place to meet that suits you, and you’ll be asked to sign the consent form. You and the interviewer will take part in an informal oral history interview which may last up to two hours. The interviewer has been trained in oral history. With your permission, the interviewer will use a recorder and you will be prompted to recall your life experiences in your own time.
What are the possible risks in taking part?
Many people find telling their life story interesting and are pleased to have had the opportunity to place their memories on record. However, some people find remembering in this way difficult. The interviewers understand this. We will understand if you want to take a break during the session, or would like to stop the interview.
Where will the interview take place?
The interview will take place in a location chosen by you, perhaps in your own home or in our impartial space at Together Women.
What will happen to my information?
After your interview, your recorded oral history will be stored in the Sheffield Feminist Archive collection at Sheffield City Archives. This archive can be accessed by members of the public or researchers who want to find out about Sheffield’s history. A digital copy will also be retained by the Sheffield Feminist Archive organising committee. Your personal information will only be accessed according to your wishes – you can choose to place limits on all or part of your interview being accessed.
If you disclose information that indicates you are likely to cause harm to another person or that someone is experiencing abuse, then we would inform the relevant authorities.
What should I do next?
If you wish to take part, please contact sheffieldfeministarchive@gmail.com and we’ll put you in touch with an oral history interviewer.
Who should I contact if I have further questions?
Please contact us at sheffieldfeministarchive@gmail.com.