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Workshop

Creative encounters: Queer archives and zine making

Join us to take part in a unique zine-making workshop where you can explore LGBTQIA+ histories in the archives.

Date
14 October 2026
Location
The National Archives, Kew
About this image

Interior of The Caravan Club, Endell Street, London, 1934. Catalogue reference: DPP 2/224

The National Archives holds a vast collection of records that offer insights into LGBTQ+ lives and histories. While these records were often created for official or administrative purposes, they can also reveal personal experiences, hidden narratives and perspectives that have historically been overlooked or marginalised.

Join us for a half-day workshop led by specialist facilitator Jen Scott and Diverse Histories Records Specialist Vicky Iglikowski-Broad, where participants will undertake queer approaches to searching the archive and create their own zines inspired by the diverse array of stories, voices and experiences they uncover.

Why join us?

This event offers participants the opportunity to explore a specially curated selection of archival materials relating to queer histories. Attendees will be introduced to archival research methods, including how to navigate catalogues, search for relevant records and uncover LGBTQIA+ experiences beyond the perspective of the state.

Participants will then take part in a zine-making workshop. Through collage, writing and illustration, they will be encouraged to respond creatively to the records they encounter, bringing their own perspectives and lived experiences into conversation with the archive.

By adopting zine-making as a creative research practice, participants will be invited to explore new ways of engaging with history, creating a unique piece that reflects their experiences of the records and the histories they encounter.

How to apply

Please note registering for this event enters you into the application process only. You need to be 18 years or over to apply. You will receive a ticket confirmation via Eventbrite, but this does not guarantee your place in the workshop. Successful applicants will be selected and contacted by Friday 2 October separately.

This workshop is open to all.

The deadline for applications is Wednesday 30 September at 9:00am.

To apply for this workshop please click 'Register your interest’ and input the relevant information.

You will then be asked to answer the following question:

Please can you tell us why you are interested in taking part in this zine-making workshop at The National Archives? We are particularly keen to hear from those who may be able to apply these practices in their own work. (max 300 words)

If you would like time to think about your answer, we suggest that you save the link, take your time to consider your answer and then return to register when you are ready.

Get in touch

If you have any questions about the workshop or the application process, please email us our research team.

Email
research@nationalarchives.gov.uk

You can find out more about the Research Route programme on our website.

Event details

Date
14 October 2026, 13:00 to 16:00
Price
Free
Location
Across our building
The National Archives, Kew, Richmond, TW9 4DU
Part of series
Research Routes

Dates for this event

14 October 2026

  • 13:00 to 16:00

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Plan your visit

What is The National Archives?

The National Archives is the official archive of the UK government, and England and Wales. We are the guardians of over 1,000 years of iconic national documents.

Everyone is welcome to visit our headquarters in Kew. We put on exhibitions, events and displays and offer reading rooms giving access to our collections there.

Find out more about who we are

Getting here

The National Archives is located by the River Thames in Kew, 30 minutes from Central London. We offer advice on travelling to us by car, bike, train or bus.

Read our advice on getting here

Children and families

We provide a warm welcome to visitors of all ages, including children and family groups.

  • Free activity sheets (for ages 1+) are available from the Time Travel Club trolley in our entrance hall
  • Our café is child-friendly and there are picnic benches outside
  • Prams and buggies are welcome, and we have a buggy park
  • Baby changing facilities are located by our entrance hall, at the top of the main stairs, and in the library
  • Emergency supplies of nappies and wipes are available

Find out more about visiting with children

Eat and drink

We have a café and coffee bar provided by Maids of Honour, a historic local tea room and bakery. It has spacious indoor and outside seating and a soft play area.

On the menu is a variety of high-quality lunchtime meals, sandwiches, snacks, soft drinks, tea and coffee. Vegetarians, vegans and other dietary requirements are all catered to.

Find out more about our café

The brutalist main building at The National Archives, Kew, reflected on the water of the lake beside it.

Speakers

  • Diverse Histories Records Specialist

  • Jen Scott

    Jen Scott is a multidisciplinary artist, zine maker, drag performer and queer heritage researcher.

Series

Research Routes

A series of photographs showing a pair of hands clapping, frame-by-frame

Explore our collections in new and innovative ways with academics, creatives and practitioners in this series of talks and workshops.