Doctoral Open Day: Music, Sound and Vision

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. 

11.30–12.30: 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. We will also be joined by one of the curators behind the British Library’s previous exhibition Medieval Women: In Their Own Words. Introductory talks include:

• Welcome to the British Library, Alice Marples, Postgraduate and Research Development Manager
• Introduction to Music Collections, Sandra Tuppen, Head of Music Collections
• Introduction to Sound and Vision Collections, Janet Topp Fargion, Head of Sound and Vision
• Introduction to Visual Arts Collections, Cam Sharp Jones, Curator, Visual Arts.

12.30–13.30: Lunch and 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:Roundtable discussion

Hear from researchers on their experiences working with the British Library and their field’s hot topics. More information about discussion topics and panellists will be released nearer the event. 

Please note that:

• on the day of the event, registration will open at 10.30, with optional activities running until 11.30. The main programme will begin at 11.30
• lunch will be provided and is included in the ticket price. Please let us know if you have any dietary requirements (allergies, intolerances and vegetarian/vegan), but please be aware we cannot accommodate preferences
• you will not be able to bring your bag into some sessions due to collection security rules, please do not bring any valuables which cannot be left unattended.
• a quiet space will be provided for anyone who needs it.