The University of Aberdeen will this weekend (June 13-15, 2003) host the Annual Conference of the Oral History Society with the Scottish Oral History Group. Oral history records the living memories and feelings of all kinds of people, many otherwise hidden from history, and creates a more vivid picture of our past.
The theme of the international conference is transitions. Transitions in working lives; in politics; in society and in the theory, practice and role of oral history itself. In particular, the conference will look at the transitions Britain has faced in its history: from an imperial island nation to offshore constituent of the EU and from the pre- to post-Thatcher era as well as the role of devolution.
Dr Lesley Diack, Department of History, University of Aberdeen said: "Perhaps never before has there been such a set of circumstances in UK history which have caused such re-definitions of personal identity - whether in relationship to the nation, the community, gender, social or racial group. We are delighted to host this prestigious conference and to welcome key note speakers from across the world"
Speakers at the conference will gather in Aberdeen from across the globe and include: Donald Ritchie, Associate Historian in the US Senate Historical Office and Alessandro Portelli, Professor of American Literature, University of Rome.