The research is being conducted by The Honourable Society of the Middle Temple’s Archive Department.
The Inn’s Archive, as is the case with many institutional archives, is affected by silences and gaps, and the stories and voices of many members, particularly those from historically marginalised groups, are obscured. It is important to address and rectify this, and to strive to ensure that the archive we bestow upon future generations better reflects the history of all of our members. Accordingly, we embark upon an Oral History Project to begin to document the experiences of under-represented groups to ensure that these stories are heard, recorded, and passed on as part of the Inn’s history.
With your connection to the Inn, your stories and memories form an important part of Middle Temple's history and would be valuable contribution to the Inn's archive collection.
If you decide to take part in the research, you will be invited to an interview, which will be audio recorded, that will last approximately 1-2 hours. During the interview you will have the opportunity to share your experiences and stories relating to being a member of the Middle Temple. The interview will be very flexible, and you will be free to discuss what you deem to be the most important issues.
With your permission, your recorded interview will become part of the Middle Temple Digital Archive where it will be preserved as a permanent record within the collection.
The data will be collected by the Inn and preserved as part of the Inn’s Oral History Project. 'With your permission, your recorded interview will become part of the digital archive, where it will be preserved permanently as part of the Inn's history. Subject to your agreement, it may also be used in future research, publications, education, lectures, and exhibitions. We will never use your information without your consent, and you can tell us how it should be used through the Recording Agreement which you will complete after your interview has finished.
Once the interview is completed, the recording will be uploaded to the Inn’s digital repository where it will only be accessible to the Archive Staff. All future use of your contributions will adhere to the same access and privacy conditions that you select now.
Your personal data
We will collect and store your personal information in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and Data Protection Act 2018 which legislate to protect your personal information.
All interviewers will sign a Confidentiality Agreement to ensure that they protect and respect the confidentiality of interviewees. All data from the research will be stored in the Inn’s digital repository which is only accessible to the Archive Staff.
It is up to you to decide whether or not to take part. If you do decide to take part, you will be given this information sheet to keep and be asked to sign a Consent Form before the interview and a Recording Agreement after the interview. If you decide to take part, you are still free to withdraw from the interview at any time without giving a reason and without detriment to yourself.
There will be no payment for participating in the research.
The interview will last for approximately between 1-2 hours. If you get tired during the process you can ask to stop and take a break, continue at another date, or terminate the interview completely.
The research will be conducted at a time and place convenient for you.
It is highly unlikely that anything should go wrong during your involvement in this research. However, should you have any questions or concerns, you should contact either:
Francesca Tate, Assistant Archivist: f.tate@middletemple.org.uk
Laura Hacon, Diversity and Inclusion Coordinator: l.hacon@middletemple.org.uk