Postgraduate Research Students Conference

The German Historical Institute London held its 24th postgraduate research students conference on 9–10 January 2020. Its intention was to give postgraduate research students in the UK and Ireland working on German history an opportunity to present their work in progress and to discuss it with other students working in the same field. In selecting students to give a presentation, preference was given to those in their second or third year who had already spent a period of research in Germany. The Institute also introduced the participants to its role as a research centre for German history in London, the facilities it offers (conference and lecture programme, library etc.), and to the Institute's Research Fellows.

As well as discussing their subjects and methodologies, the participants exchanged information about practical difficulties, such as how to locate sources, or find one's way around German archives. On the morning of the first day, Dr Dorothea McEwan, the former archivist of the Warburg Institute, gave a course on German handwriting. Attended by most participants, the palaeography course was welcomed as a very valuable introduction to the study of old manuscripts and records. The German Historical Institute can also offer support by facilitating contact with German archives and providing letters of introduction, which may be necessary for students to gain access to archives or specific source collections.

The coffee and lunch breaks offered ample opportunity for informal contact and networking. On Thursday, evening all participants were invited to a reception.