Masterclass

Queer(y)ing the past: queer oral history and archival research
March 12, 2026: 14:00-17:00h
University of Amsterdam

What were the lives of LGBTQ people like in the past? Can we use labels like ‘lesbian’, ‘gay’, ‘bisexual’, ‘trans’ or ‘queer’ when we talk about the past? How can we access these historical experiences? Is there something particular about ‘queer history’, and what might a queer approach tell us about historical research more broadly? This masterclass addresses these questions, introducing participants to a range of empirical, theoretical and methodological approaches to the historical study of sexual minorities. It will offer an overview of the development of queer history and introduce participants to a range of primary source material. We will think about the ways in which queer historical actors have inhabited conventional archival spaces, as well as created their own, sometimes less traditional archives in order to create ‘queer legacies’. As part of this, the masterclass will introduce participants to oral history and consider its methodological advantages and constraints as a means of accessing queer pasts.

The masterclass is formed of two parts. In the first part, George Severs will offer an overview of the topic through an interactive lecture, which will include group discussions of source material and methodological approaches to queer history. In the second part, participants will present their own work to the group, gaining feedback on theirideas and approaches.

To participate in the masterclass, you will read one of the articles from Group A and one of the articles from Group B, and prepare a short presentation on your research project.

Group A:

  • Regina Kunzel, ‘The Power of Queer History’, American Historical Review, Vol. 123, No. 5 (2018), pp. 1560-1582.
  • George J. Severs, ‘Queer activism in contemporary British history’, in The Routledge Handbook of Contemporary British History, ed. Sarah Crook and Sarah Kenny (forthcoming 2027).

Group B:

  • The introduction of Nan Alamilla Boyd and Horacio N. Roque Ramírez (eds), Bodies of Evidence: The Practice of Queer Oral History (Oxford University Press, 2012).
  • The introduction to Clare Summerskill, Amy Tooth Murphy and Emma Vickers (eds), New Directions in Queer Oral History: Archives of Disruption (Routledge, 2022).

 

The masterclass is open to all advanced RMA students and PhD candidates studying at a university in the Netherlands and working in Gender, Queer, and Transgender Studies, History, Social Movements, Cultural Studies, and other related fields. By attending the masterclass, doing all the preparatory work, and presenting their research, participants can earn 1 credit (ECTS).

Details Masterclass

Date & Time: March 12, 2026, 14:00-17:00h
Location: Room E1.02, Bushuis UvA, Kloveniersburgwal 48, Amsterdam
Contact Person: g.colpani@uu.nl and george.severs@graduateinstitute.ch
ECTS: 1 ECTS
Registration: To register, please contact dr. Gianmaria Colpani (g.colpani@uu.nl) and dr. George Severs (George.severs@graduateinstitute.ch), indicating your current position (RMA student or PhD candidate), university/institutional affiliation, Research School affiliation, and a brief overview of your motivation and your research interests/project, including the material you work with (1 page max).

Registration deadline: 20th February 2026.