We’re looking for local alumni volunteers who can give the gift of their time to undertake a project of photographic digitisation at the Hull History Centre. Could that be you?

We are excited to announce the launch of a new alumni volunteering opportunity here at the University.  The Centenary Archives Photo Project is already proudly looking towards our centenary in 2027 and we need the help of our locally based alumni! The University of Hull has an extensive archive of images taken by photographers employed or engaged by the University since its foundation in 1927.  These archives record the activities of student societies, significant moments in the University’s history, key research undertaken by Departments, awards received, graduation ceremonies & notable individuals associated with the University.

The collection (held at Hull History Centre) requires cataloguing to improve discoverability. As the photographs are in negative format it is necessary to digitise the collection in order to make it available to a wider audience. The Alumni team are working with the University of Hull Archives Team to try and help make this possible.  The project will help to increase the number of accessible collections available to future researchers at Hull History Centre beyond the life of the Centenary.

Could this be you?

Alumni volunteers would be asked to attend Hull History Centre (HHC) for half-a-day on a Monday for a period of ten consecutive weeks each.  This is due to the accessibility to the specialist scanner being time limited to a Monday. This can be a morning or afternoon and will be agreed with the Alumni Volunteer Coordinator and HHC.

Alumni volunteers will need to be based locally as they will need to attend HHC to carry out their volunteering.

Volunteers must have an interest in the history of the University and an ability to pay attention to detail

Volunteer training & in Centre supervision will be provided by staff

A selection process will be undertaken for prospective volunteers

The project provides a unique opportunity for alumni to uncover more of the history of the University for the benefit of past and  future students whilst also learning new skills. CAPP will benefit the local community as well as the University of Hull by increasing the accessibility of a resource which has relevance not just to the history of the University, but also to the history of education and research in Hull

If you would like to find out more and how to get involved, please email alumni@hull.ac.uk