Designed for graduate students, post-doctoral fellows, college faculty, and independent scholars using oral history interviews as part of a research project, the institute is also open to museum and community-based historians who are engaged in oral history work on an ongoing basis. The institute is limited to thirty participants and applications will be accepted until May 1. Acceptances will be made on an ongoing basis if participants meet the requirements, so we urge you to apply as soon as possible. Institute presentations by ROHO faculty and invited specialists will cover: project planning; preparation for interviewing and interview techniques; interview analysis; legal and ethical responsibilities such as copyright and human subject protection requirements. The goal of the institute is to strengthen the ability of its participants to conduct research focused interviews and to consider, in a rigorous academic environment, the special characteristics of interviews as historical evidence. We will devote particular attention to how oral history interviews can broaden and deepen historical interpretation situated within contemporary discussions of history, subjectivity, memory, and memoir.

Participants will also work throughout the week in small research interest groups led by faculty with similar interests. Institute members will be given readings, a list of other participants, and the week’s schedule before the institute begins. Housing and most meals must be arranged separately. A list of housing options will be made available. For more details see ROHO’s website: http://bancroft.berkeley.edu/ROHO or contact Lisa Rubens at lrubens@library.berkeley.edu.