Working with emotionally challenging archival materials: Other Collections

In providing access to a wide range of unique historical materials, we recognise that some content may be emotionally challenging, disturbing, or presented without adequate contextual framing.

If you encounter material of this nature during your research, you are very welcome to bring it to the attention of Special Collections staff. While we do not censor archival content, we are committed to presenting it with appropriate care and sensitivity, and we value your insights as part of that ongoing responsibility.

When working with emotionally challenging or sensitive materials—such as those involving trauma, marginalised voices, or historical injustices—it's important to reflect not only on how the material affects you, but also on how you engage with it.

Ethical research practice involves considering:

• Representation: How are individuals or communities depicted in the material? Are you handling their stories with care and respect?
• Context: Are you interpreting the material within its historical, cultural, or social context, avoiding assumptions or sensationalism?
• Impact: How might your use or presentation of this material affect others—research participants, readers, or communities represented in the archive?
• Positionality: What is your relationship to the material, and how might your identity, background, or perspective shape your interpretation?

Taking time to reflect on these questions can help ensure your work remains thoughtful, respectful, and ethically informed.