16 September 2026
- 12:00 to 13:15
Talk
Records of human experience: The value and vulnerability of refugee archives
Explore the value and the fragility of refugee and naturalisation collections in this Research Routes event.
- Date
- 16 September 2026
- Location
- Online
About this image
Bomb damage, Caen (1944). Catalogue reference: HO 338/27
Refugee archives preserve some of the most important records of human experience, documenting displacement, resilience, and identity. They are invaluable resources for researchers, archivists, activists, policymakers, and refugee communities themselves. Yet these collections are often vulnerable.
Drawing on experiences from the UNHCR Archives, the Living Refugee Archive, and The National Archives' own collections, speakers will discuss how collections are created, preserved, and used, as well as the challenges faced.
Together, we will consider how archives can support research, public engagement, and community memory while navigating the sensitivities that often accompany histories of human experience, reflecting on the role archives play in shaping our understanding of migration, humanitarian action, and lived experience across time.
You can find out more about the Research Route programme on our website.
Event details
- Date
- 16 September 2026, 12:00 to 13:15
- Price
-
Free
- Location
- Online, Live-streamed on Zoom
- Part of series
- Research Routes
Dates for this event
How to join online
How to watch
This event will be presented on Zoom. You do not need a Zoom account to join an event, and can join from your browser from a laptop or mobile device.
For the best experience we recommend using either a laptop or desktop computer.
All communications for the event will be sent to you via email from Eventbrite.
You will receive a reminder email including a link to join in advance of the event. Please ensure you enter the correct email when signing up and check your spam if you have not received the email the day before the event.
Watch after the event
This event will be recorded and uploaded to our YouTube channel at a later date.
Speakers
Series
Research Routes
Explore our collections in new and innovative ways with academics, creatives and practitioners in this series of talks and workshops.