Open Archive: The Miners' Strike: A case study in regional content.

This project is designed to allow the investigation of how the BBC might use its archive holdings via the Open Archive. Specifically it will study how the BBC deals with its regional audiences and how regional rather than national news and historical agendas might be prioritised to provide these audiences with material that can be used to explore memories of significant events in their own lives. It will also study how archivists and broadcasters deal with ethical issues raised by sensitive or contentious material and explore ways in which these materials need to be contextualised for future use.

The study will be based on the major historical event of the National Miners' Strike (1984-5) and will focus specifically on how various categories of material, including news, documentary and dramatic reconstruction have represented this strike and how it might be used within communities directly affected by it and its long-term consequences. There is obviously still much sensitivity surrounding the strike and many people feel that their own perspectives have only been partially represented through news ands documentary records and find aspects of the original coverage
difficult to equate with their own experiences. As part of the study we will be producing a compilation of news, documentary and dramatic reconstruction materials to use with audiences drawn from mining and associated communities in South Yorkshire and conducting detailed questionnaires and focus groups based on their own memories and responses to this material. This material will then form the basis of the final report and the preparation of policy advice for the BBC. We will be asking participants their views on a range of issues.

Through this study we will be able to understand a number of issues and present, through a final report, our findings, conclusions and policy recommendations to the BBC and other interested stakeholders.

The project will be conducted by the Institute of Communications Studies at the University of Leeds and BBC Research Centre North- Information & Archives. It will take place over a nine month period ending with a final report and symposium. The project takes place in five phases outlined below:

1. The joint appointment of two research assistants for a total period of three and six months respectively.

2. The identification, selection and digitisation of news, documentary and drama footage from relevant BBC and Regional Film and Television Archives. This will result in a series of compilations of material to be used in restricted screening contexts and within focus groups.

3. The design of focus group questionnaires and audience survey materials.

4. The delivery of controlled focus groups within regional communities.

5 The writing, editing and delivery of the research and future policy report by the Institute of Communications Studies which will then be passed to the steering committee for approval.