A Research Opportunity at the Essex Record Office for Master’s or Ph.D. Students Interested in the History of Science and Technology
Within the varied holdings of the Essex Record Office (ERO) are a number of collections of value for researching the history of science, technology, engineering and medicine. These include over 100,000 photographs from the Marconi Company, dating from the 1890s to the 1980s.
In collaboration with the British Society for the History of Science (BSHS), the ERO is offering the chance for a Master’s or Ph.D. student to spend four weeks (or equivalent part-time) investigating the potential of collections held at ERO for research in science, technology and engineering subjects, and to raise awareness of and engagement with particular records – primarily the Marconi Photographic Archive.
The Marconi Wireless Telegraph Company and its successors played a significant role in the social history of Chelmsford and other parts of Essex throughout the twentieth century. And the technology they produced is of local, national and international interest and importance. The products developed and manufactured in their Essex factories revolutionized communications and laid the foundations for the wireless world we live in today.
The student will carry out research into the fascinating but under-used collection of images created by the Photographic Unit at Marconi, helping us to understand the significance of the varied material it contains, and creating content and resources to engage new audiences in Essex and beyond.
The student will receive mentoring support and will have opportunities to learn about and experience aspects of the work of the ERO. A bursary of £2,000 is also available, funded by the British Society for the History of Science.
To apply, please contact the Essex Record Office (