Engaging with archival, historical, or research materials can sometimes be emotionally challenging. Researchers may encounter distressing content such as violence, trauma, discrimination, or personal loss, and these experiences can affect individuals in different and often unexpected ways.
It's important to recognise that if you find certain materials difficult or upsetting, you are not alone. Many students and researchers experience strong emotional responses in the course of their work, and this is a valid and natural part of engaging deeply with complex subjects.
“I came across one word—innocuous in other contexts—that chilled me to the core. I wasn’t expecting such a visceral reaction, but after speaking with someone else working on these materials, I realised I wasn’t the only one affected this way.”
When working with uncatalogued or only partially described archival materials, it's important to be aware that you may encounter content that is unexpected, distressing, or emotionally challenging.
Unlike fully processed collections, uncatalogued materials may lack detailed descriptions or content warnings. This means you might come across items—such as personal testimonies, graphic accounts, or sensitive language—for which you were not prepared.
Emotionally challenging materials are those that have the potential to provoke strong emotional or psychological responses in researchers. These might include content relating to:
The Holocaust and other genocides
The experiences of enslaved people and slavery
Armed conflict, war crimes, or displacement
Abuse, exploitation, or neglect of vulnerable individuals or communities
Racism, colonial violence, or systemic injustice
While some topics may be widely recognised as distressing, it’s important to understand that what feels emotionally challenging is deeply personal. A document, image, or phrase that seems neutral to one researcher may be unsettling or difficult to another—often in ways that are unexpected.
There is no prescribed list of what “counts” as emotionally challenging. Your response is valid, whatever the source.
The tabs above provide more information on specific collections at QUB that contain emotionally challenging material, and highlight resources particularly relevant to engaging with them.
“Taking regular breaks and discussing the material with peers helped me process difficult content and stay focused on my research.”
Set boundaries: Plan your research sessions and allow yourself breaks to avoid feeling overwhelmed.
Pace yourself: Work in manageable chunks rather than trying to cover large amounts of difficult material at once.
Create a comfortable environment: Find a quiet, safe space where you feel able to focus and reflect.
Allow space to decompress: Taking moments for mindfulness, breathing exercises, or other grounding practices can help you manage distress and regain your equilibrium during or after research sessions.
Talk it through: Share your experiences with trusted peers, supervisors, or colleagues when you feel ready.
If you have been affected by archival materials encountered in the course of your research, either at QUB or elsewhere, we encourage you to seek support from the appropriate services:
RES-WELL: A UKRI funded toolkit to support Researcher Wellbeing
Visitor Support: If you are not a member of the University, you may wish to contact your home institution or access external services such as:
Samaritans (UK): 116 123 or www.samaritans.org
Inspire Support Services (NI): www.inspirewellbeing.org