IWM CDP - Public Memory of the Second World War
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Brighton
Department Name: Sch of Humanities
Abstract
The Imperial War Museum and Public Memory of the Second World War - initial research thoughts As long as people living today are still affected by issues
arising from the War, the war is still alive and we still live in a period defined by it. We still refer to the Second World War as 'the war' and aren't really sure when
the post-War era ended. How we understand and represent war not only creates meaning through representation of narrative but also articulates values through
creation of narrative - the IWM is at the forefront of mediating this. Arguments over its legacy continue. Once encapsulated in a discourse of triumph, recent
research has uncovered stories of unequal hardship, the morality of wartime hardships, and abhorrent treatment of conscientious objectors and 'aliens'. 'The
war' lives on in our national memory and as the focal point for debate about morality, pragmatism and nationality. Lines of research: Some initial, loose thoughts
about relevant debates / lines of research which I would anticipate pursuing as part of this studentship: - Personal vs collective remembering - the balance in
displays between a grand narrative and personal stories, and trends in academic focus (rise of history from below) - Forgetting vs remembering - what has been
forgotten and why? What were the exhibitions trying to convey / achieve? Why do we want to remember? - The dwindling living memory thread - The exhibitionmaking
process and how it has changed - Changes in the balance between objects, storytelling and design - The digital museum and wider world - Visitor
representations - how have the IWMs audiences been considered or planned for in the preparation of new exhibitions - Representations of WWII in wider
popular culture - Interactivity - what opportunities are there for participation in the creation and mediation of narrative, and opportunities for interactivity within the
interpretive interventions. Proposed methodology: I anticipate that my work would draw on findings from the following research, where available and appropriate:
- Interrogation of the IWM archives - plans, drawings, contributory pieces of research - Interviews with museum staff - Interviews with designers / relevant
contractors - Promotional materials for exhibitions / events / activities, and reviews where available (for example in newspapers) - Archival materials from IWM
committees / steering groups The Imperial War Museum and Public Memory of the Second World War - initial research thoughts As long as people living today
are still affected by issues arising from the War, the war is still alive and we still live in a period defined by it. We still refer to the Second World War as 'the war'
and aren't really sure when the post-War era ended. How we understand and represent war not only creates meaning through representation of narrative but
also articulates values through creation of narrative - the IWM is at the forefront of mediating this. Arguments over its legacy continue. Once encapsulated in a
discourse of triumph, recent research has uncovered stories of unequal hardship, the morality of wartime hardships, and abhorrent treatment of conscientious
objectors and 'aliens'. 'The war' lives on in our national memory and as the focal point for debate about morality, pragmatism and nationality.
arising from the War, the war is still alive and we still live in a period defined by it. We still refer to the Second World War as 'the war' and aren't really sure when
the post-War era ended. How we understand and represent war not only creates meaning through representation of narrative but also articulates values through
creation of narrative - the IWM is at the forefront of mediating this. Arguments over its legacy continue. Once encapsulated in a discourse of triumph, recent
research has uncovered stories of unequal hardship, the morality of wartime hardships, and abhorrent treatment of conscientious objectors and 'aliens'. 'The
war' lives on in our national memory and as the focal point for debate about morality, pragmatism and nationality. Lines of research: Some initial, loose thoughts
about relevant debates / lines of research which I would anticipate pursuing as part of this studentship: - Personal vs collective remembering - the balance in
displays between a grand narrative and personal stories, and trends in academic focus (rise of history from below) - Forgetting vs remembering - what has been
forgotten and why? What were the exhibitions trying to convey / achieve? Why do we want to remember? - The dwindling living memory thread - The exhibitionmaking
process and how it has changed - Changes in the balance between objects, storytelling and design - The digital museum and wider world - Visitor
representations - how have the IWMs audiences been considered or planned for in the preparation of new exhibitions - Representations of WWII in wider
popular culture - Interactivity - what opportunities are there for participation in the creation and mediation of narrative, and opportunities for interactivity within the
interpretive interventions. Proposed methodology: I anticipate that my work would draw on findings from the following research, where available and appropriate:
- Interrogation of the IWM archives - plans, drawings, contributory pieces of research - Interviews with museum staff - Interviews with designers / relevant
contractors - Promotional materials for exhibitions / events / activities, and reviews where available (for example in newspapers) - Archival materials from IWM
committees / steering groups The Imperial War Museum and Public Memory of the Second World War - initial research thoughts As long as people living today
are still affected by issues arising from the War, the war is still alive and we still live in a period defined by it. We still refer to the Second World War as 'the war'
and aren't really sure when the post-War era ended. How we understand and represent war not only creates meaning through representation of narrative but
also articulates values through creation of narrative - the IWM is at the forefront of mediating this. Arguments over its legacy continue. Once encapsulated in a
discourse of triumph, recent research has uncovered stories of unequal hardship, the morality of wartime hardships, and abhorrent treatment of conscientious
objectors and 'aliens'. 'The war' lives on in our national memory and as the focal point for debate about morality, pragmatism and nationality.