FULL-TIME, FIXED-TERM (2 YEARS)

Are you passionate about women’s history, archives, and uncovering untold stories? Join us in a unique opportunity to work with one of the UK’s most significant educational collections — the archives of Bedford College.
Founded in 1849 by the trailblazing Elizabeth Jesser Reid, Bedford College was the first higher education institution in the UK established specifically for the education of women. The College played a transformative role in offering women access to a liberal education in an era when such opportunities were rare. Following its merger with Royal Holloway College in 1985, Bedford College left behind a rich and inspiring legacy — now preserved in its extensive archive.

We are seeking an experienced Project Archivist to lead and support an exciting range of initiatives centred around this pioneering collection. Highlights of the role include:

• Coordinating a volunteer transcription project to digitise and transcribe the correspondence of Elizabeth Jesser Reid.
• Delivering an oral history project capturing memories from former Bedford College students and staff.
• Curating an online exhibition to showcase hidden gems and promote the global and inclusive history of the College.

• Working with academics and the Bedford Society to promote the collection and explore future collaborations.

  In addition to project work, the role involves supporting day-to-day archive operations including supervising the reading room, responding to enquiries, and contributing to teaching and public engagement activities. You will also play a key role in shaping the future of the service by engaging in discussions around digitisation and digital access.

ABOUT YOU

We’re looking for a qualified and experienced archivist with a passion for women’s history, strong project coordination skills, and a creative approach to outreach and engagement. If you thrive in a collaborative environment and enjoy bringing historical collections to life, we’d love to hear from you.

• Coordinating a volunteer transcription project to digitise and transcribe the correspondence of Elizabeth Jesser Reid.
• Delivering an oral history project capturing memories from former Bedford College students and staff.
• Curating an online exhibition to showcase hidden gems and promote the global and inclusive history of the College.
• Working with academics and the Bedford Society to promote the collection and explore future collaborations