Transforming Archives Trainee: Saying hello!

Hello, I'm Hannah and I'm the new archives trainee at the Hull History Centre (HHC). I am one of several HLF-funded trainees working at archives across the country as part of The National Archives Transforming Archives programme aimed at developing practical skills.

My role is to work in digitisation, outreach and community engagement. I will be learning about the general services the HHC provides, and also using social media and the HHC website to engage users with our services. One key digitisation project I will be working on is the digitisation of the photographs and letters of Philip Larkin, and I will also be digitising the Grand Tour diary of Bridlington architect Francis Johnson. I will post more about these projects later! If you want to find out more about Francis Johnson check out these previous posts tagged under the architect's name.

My background and passion is in heritage and IT having graduated from the University of York with a BA in History of Art & Architecture, and an MSc in Digital Heritage. One of my main interests is in the use of digital technologies, in particular computer games, 3D modelling, social media and interactive storytelling, to engage with the past.

I wrote my MSc dissertation on gaming as an educational tool for architectural history therefore a particular HHC project I am keen to get involved with is HullCraft, re-building the architecture of Francis Johnson in Minecraft. If you love computer games (doesn't matter what age you are!) then this is a perfect way to delve in our archives and re-visualise part of Hull’s rich history. Take a look at the HullCraft website for more information.

Working within archives is a brand new venture for me and I am excited to be working alongside the skilled staff at HHC and The National Archives. I will be visiting The National Archives very soon so I will be posting about my experiences there.

If you have any questions about my work feel free to contact me on H.Rice@hull.ac.uk. 

I will frequently be blogging on here, tweeting and facebooking my discoveries in the world of archives... so watch this space!

Hannah Rice

Transforming Archives Trainee

Hull History Centre