From Report to Reform: 70 Years of Wolfenden and 60 Years of the Sexual Offences Act
Student placement project
- Project supervisors
Vicky Iglikowski-Broad (lead supervisor) and Dr Joe Cozens (co-supervisor)
- Department
Collections Expertise and Engagement
- Maximum number of student placements available on the project per academic year
Three
- Level of study
Open to PhD and MA/MSc students
- Deadline for Expressions of Interest from students
3 May 2027 (17:00)
- Specific knowledge and/or skills required for the placement
Sensitivity, compassion and empathy when engaging with materials that reflect lived experiences of marginalised communities.
An awareness of the historical context of the records, such as challenging and outdated framing of records, including medical, moral, religious and criminal perspectives on LGBTQ+ people and sex workers.
A potential interest in working with community groups and people with lived experience to help shape the project.
A potential interest in historic terminology and cataloguing best practice, particularly in relation to outdated or offensive language.
A willingness to reflect critically on records framed by government perspectives and how we add balance to these narratives.
Project description
2027 marks two major anniversaries in LGBTQ+ history: 60 years since the Sexual Offences Act 1967, which partially decriminalised sex between men, and 70 years since the Wolfenden Report, a key driver of this change.
This placement offers a unique opportunity to work with original records that chart the journey to the Sexual Offences Act 1967 and specialist staff at The National Archives, exploring one of the most significant episodes in modern British social and legal history. Students will shape their own research project, exploring hidden, marginalised, and overlooked stories within the collections.
Research questions could include:
- What do our records reveal about contemporary attitudes to homosexuality, sexuality, and sex work?
- Whose voices are prioritised, absent, or visible between the lines?
- Why was homosexual law reform delayed for a decade while punitive recommendations on sex work were implemented much sooner?
- How can these records be made more accessible and engaging for modern audiences?
Activities include
Outputs will be shaped by student’s interests and skills they wish to develop but may include online content, podcasts, public events, catalogue enhancements, or collaboration with community partners.