The historian’s job in the 21st century is richer than ever before. Technological advances have created new audiences with diverse needs, and allowed historians to chart and chronicle the past in ways that have never been conceived before. These developments in our profession have created new challenges and new learnings, which will be interrogated in this year’s Professional Historians Australia conference, hosted in Brisbane on Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 September 2021.

This year’s conference features a diverse range of speakers, with keynote by Professor Melanie Nolan, Director of the National Centre of Biography at the Australian National University, and General Editor of the Australian Dictionary of Biography (ADB). In her presentation, Professor Nolan will review the ADB’s current cultural journey amid the transition to a digital environment, the matter of diversity and the rise of transnationalism.

On day two, Dr Ian Britain, honorary senior research fellow in the School of Historical Studies at the University of Melbourne, will deliver an extended presentation on the challenges of censorship and public attitudes towards sensitive issues. Other discussions on navigating multiple stories in historic narratives, providing space for multiple voices in history, and challenges of interpreting historical source material will feature in the rich conference program. Social activities will also enable conference participants to share learnings and current projects in a convivial atmosphere.oral history.

Bookings

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Saturday 9-10 October 2021, 10 am to 4 pm 

Interested in learning how to interview to hear the best stories from family and friends? Want to learn about cultural protocols and how to use the recording equipment?

Elaine Rabbitt (Phd Oral History) and Doug Ayre will  deliver the nationally accredited oral history training over two days in Perth.

Elaine has developed the oral history training package for AHCILM404 Record and Document Community History, drawn from the wealth of oral history teaching materials that are available in Australia and overseas.

Too busy to treat yourself to a weekend of oral history – think again?

This is a rare opportunity to immerse yourself in the practicalities of oral history and gain nationally recognised certification. This is a stepping stone for further learning and possible employment opportunities.

Course costs: $395 (ex GST)

Includes enrolment fees, resources, participant handbook, and assessment and issuing certificate.

For further information about the course content contact or to register please contact elaine.rabbitt@gme.com.au, PH: 08 91949999

The Oral History Association (United States) will hold its 2021 annual meeting on October 13-17, 2021. The conference was originally planed for Cincinatti, Ohio but It has not yet been determined if the conference will be possible for Cincinatti or another way.

The conference theme is ‘Moving Stories. Find out more about the conference and the Call for Papers at: www.oralhistory.org/2021-call-for-papers.

Join us in the island jewel state of lutruwita (Tasmania) for the 2021 OHA Biennial Conference.

The theme of the conference is ‘Oral History in Troubling Times: Opportunities and Challenges’. We are aiming to meet in person, but if this becomes impossible due to COVID-19 restrictions we intend to make this an online event.

The conference runs from14-16 October with post-conference tours on Sunday 17 October.

Go to the conference website.