House explosions in Cheltenham 1904

 CPD

Continuing Professional Development is one aspect of being a member of AGRA or RQG that is expected of each researcher. Over the past two years the method of delivering education to those relying on external bodies for such development has been challenged. These are my observations and thoughts on the subect as presented to the AGRA-SW network group in March 2022.

Before the Covid-19 Pandemic hit us in March 2020 some organisations were already in the business of delivering talks and lectures by podcasts and webinars. Others were purely in person and have swiftly moved to online to continue their viability as an educational establishment for example. They have continued to embrace this method of delivery to the benefit of many. Hopefully as this year continues and the country settles into a new normal both in person and online methods can continue therefore meeting the needs of a large number of people.

What was out there?

Before Covid The National Archives produced podcasts on a wide range of research topics, then webinars began to be produced. These vary from the educational at all levels to general interest such as author talks. These can be accessed from a dedicated media player on TNA website. The Institute of Historical Research recorded large numbers of talks from conferences and seminars - the website states that they have recorded 800 since 2009! These can be found on the IHR website. IHR also have a YouTube channel which can be found here.

What's there now?

The Society of Genealogists has always had a strong focus on the education aimed at all levels of researcher, from beginner to more advanced. I wasn't aware of any of these being available online before the pandemic. However fairly swiftly they upped their game and moved the talks online which is of course brilliant for those of us who don't live in London. With their premises in the middle of a relocation this has probably proved fortuitous as an interim measure before their full relocation. More of their talk programme can be found here.

County Archives were often places to go for location specific research especially with a remit of a public outreach target to be met. Due to lockdowns and staff working from home these have been slower to respond to the online talks but a few in the South West have responded to the call.

South West Heritage run Somerset and Devon archive services. Talks and other events from Somerset can be found here and past events here. Devon's events are here.

Cornwall archives (Kresen Kernow) hold their own events programme and also have a YouTube channel. Gloucestershire archives, my old stamping ground, held some very good workshops and are now giving online talks in particular a series aimed at children. Bristol Archives along with the Brisol Museums do hold talks but nothing is scheduled at this time (15/3/2022). Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre is the last of this region's county archives and again at this time have nothing scheduled.

Educational establishments have also had to change. From a personal perspective as a long time student with the Institute of Heraldic and Genealogical Studies they have really upped their game. Being based in Canterbury it was too far to travel for many people although I know of a huge contingent of students who did do so and still meet up for a genie trip every year. The well reknowned lectures and tutorials moved online by means of Zoom enabling attendance at a far greater number of sessions than would have previously been possible. They are continuing with this practice with a team of excellent tutors. They also permitted the 2020 Higher Certificate Exam students to sit the papers by Zoom and as an encouragement to overseas students this practice is being developed. Details of the IHGS courses can be found on their website.

Pharos have always been held online and have not changed their method of delivery since or during the pandemic - why fix something that isn't broke! Whilst doing some longer courses they have a very wide range of shorter courses for all levels of ability.

Local History and Family History Societies have all changed to meet the new demand in many instances opening up their society to new audiences. This applies to the smaller regional society as well as the larger groups.

The British Association for Local History holds a large number of talks. Their events calendar can be found here. They are held on Zoom and generally not recorded. The Royal Historical Society has links to the regional societies.

Family History Societies (links to individual groups can be found here) and the Family History Federation have a new series of podcasts. The FHS society that I have been a member of since about 1986 (Hampshire Genealogical Society) has been holding virtual meetings and now some of the groups hold a blend of in person and Zoom meetings. You don't always need to be a member to attend a talk but there will usually be a fee.

What else is out there?

There are some lesser well known places to develop skills. Some university departments have useful online content but not necessarily in form of talks. The University of Nottingham has one such segment on Manuscripts and Special Collections. Latin can be problematic and TNA has an online course plus one on palaeography if that old writing gets to you first! One I found whilst checking out links for this article (and can't wait to get viewing) is the YouTube channel for the Vernacular Architecture Group.

To be controversial...

Family History Shows. These were always good fun. Loads of people all with the same passion mingling around a big echoey hall, chatting over coffee, rushing to talks. Stalls to spend money at, books to peruse. Then the professional conferences at special places - much more mingling, listening to a programme of curated talks by some top level speakers. 

Since the pandemic we seem to have been overun with these online conferences. Is it me or has the gloss gone from the excitement of the event. Are there actually too many? Rootstech was the latest and after bookmarking some talks last year that I never got around to listening to, I managed to listen to a few this year. They were all short sound bite size and good tasters, especially the Latin one from professional researcher Caroline Gurney which has left me feeling as if I had her as a tutor I may actually get somewhere with it unlike my school experience in the 1970s.

So, that's my thoughts on CPD and how it can be delivered. Maybe a bit rambling but it may inspire you to try something new, especially if you are not a professional and want to develop your own skills a bit more. It's all out there, at all levels. Never has so much learning been available to so many.