About Doctoral Open Day: Asian and African Collections
Our Doctoral Open Days are designed for current and prospective PhD students interested in working with our collections during their studies, but are open to researchers at all career stages particularly those who are new to our collections. Each Open Day showcases a different area of our collection, with the aim of making our materials as accessible as possible.
- African Collections
- East Asian Collections
- Southeast Asian Collections
- South Asian Collections
- Middle Eastern and Central Asian Collections
- India Office Records
- Visual Arts Collections
- World and Traditional Music
For this session, we are also joined by SOAS Library and the School of Advanced Study’s Institute of Languages, Cultures and Societies (ILCS) to give a comprehensive overview of relevant collections in the Bloomsbury area.
SOAS Library is one of the world's most important academic libraries for the study of Asia, Africa and the Middle East. SOAS librarians will introduce you to their collections, including their archives and special collections, including rare books and manuscripts. More information about SOAS Library is available on their website.
ILCS is the national centre for research in languages, cultures and societies across the UK and beyond. Librarians from Senate House Library, University of London will introduce you to their relevant collections, take you through the basics of accessing them and show you how to navigate the catalogue. More information about ILCS, including details of their free Research Training Programme, is available on their website.
Our Open Days give you the opportunity to:
- understand how to access our collection
- get expert advice from our Reference Specialists
- speak with curators of collections relevant to your studies
- meet researchers with similar research interests and develop your academic network.
The day will consist of:
- a drop-in session with our Reference Specialists, who can advise you on the practicalities of accessing our collections
- presentations by our curators, introducing you to their collection areas
- a ‘Meet the Curators’ session, during which you can view highlights from our collections and talk to our curators about your research
- a panel discussion with PhD researchers and Library staff exploring their experiences working with our collections.
If you have any questions about this event or would like to discuss accessibility or dietary requirements, please contact pgr@bl.uk.
Looking for a different Doctoral Open Day? Explore our other Doctoral Open Days currently available to book.
Your support
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Programme
10.30 – 11.30: Registration
Registration opens at 10.30. Please arrive before 11.30 for the start of the main programme.
Optional activities
Once you have registered, you can take part in our optional activities. The day is free-flowing, so you are welcome to explore the Library or stay and chat with other attendees or members of our Research Development team.
Pigott Lecture Theatre – Pre-recorded material will be shown, illustrating some of the additional resources available at the British Library.
Chaucer Room – Drop-in session hosted by our Reference Services team, who are available to answer any questions you might have about accessing our collections and who to contact when you need support.
11.30 –12.45 Introductory Talks, Pigott Lecture Theatre
Learn the basics about our collections and what they include. Curators will provide a whistle-stop tour of their collection area, covering the highlights, as well as less well-known sections. You can then ask any questions you have in the afternoon at our Meet the Curators session.
Talks include:
- welcome to the British Library
- introduction to Asian and African Collections at the British Library.
12.45 – 13.30 Lunch & Meet your Peers, Knowledge Centre Foyer
Enjoy lunch while getting to know your fellow research students.
13.30 – 15.00 Meet the Curators
Understand our collections and how to make use of them by meeting members of our curatorial teams. Each team will bring a selection of items from their collection area for you to see the range of materials the Library holds. This is your opportunity to ask any burning research questions!
15.00 – 16.00 Panel Discussion
Hear from PhD students and Library staff about their experiences researching with our collections.
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