The Keele Oral History Project

"Oral history is a method of gathering and preserving historical information through recorded interviews with participants in past events and ways of life." (Oral History Association).

The Keele Oral History Project Oral history complements official documents and records by providing a personal view of historical moments. The Keele Oral History Project was instigated at the first Pioneers Reunion in May 2005.

The memories of former students are of value not just to themselves but also to posterity. Historians, sociologists, alumni, scholars and others will all benefit from the experiences they share for the project.

  • The Keele estate, the Sneyd family and Keele Hall - ideal for visitors or Keele people who enjoy history and heritage
  • The origins of Keele University - ideal for visitors, staff and students who want to know why "Keele is Keele" and about the unique "Keele experiment" which still informs our values and ethos
  • Keele myths and legends - ideal for staff and students who want to hear some of the more famous scandals, pranks, controversies and bizarre occurrences from Keele's Oral History

Audio-visual accounts

First decade: The Origins of Keele University 1950-1962

A Coming of Age: Continuity and Change 1962-1973