Blog written by Jared Martin, Events and Programming Assistant
Last Tuesday, my colleague Michelle and I travelled to Oxford for a series of meetings and an opportunity to explore the Middle East Centre Archive at St Antony’s College. It turned out to be a particularly worthwhile visit, offering fresh ideas for collaboration and a clearer sense of the resources available for our work.
Exploring the Archive
We began the day at the Middle East Centre, where archivist Debbie Usher welcomed us and introduced the collections. The archive holds an impressive range of materials relating to Oman and to the historical activities of The British Omani Society. These include photographs, recordings, correspondence, and documents that together provide a detailed record of political, social, and cultural life in Oman across the decades.
It quickly became clear that these collections are an exceptional resource for anyone interested in the development of the UK-Oman relationship. As we moved through the material, we found ourselves discussing several possibilities: how these resources might be incorporated into the Society’s Golden Jubilee activities, and how we could help make the collections more accessible to researchers and the wider public.
Discussions with Centre Leadership
Later in the morning, we met with Professor Eugene Rogan and Professor Michael Willis. Our conversation ranged widely, from encouraging greater uptake of summer and year-abroad Arabic study in Oman, to identifying potential areas for academic collaboration. Both were enthusiastic about strengthening ties between the Society and Oxford, and the discussion generated several ideas that we hope to develop further.
Return to the Archive
In the afternoon, we returned to the archive to talk through practical matters with Debbie. This included digitisation, how gaps in the collections might be addressed, and what more could be done to raise awareness of the archive among researchers and the public. Debbie was extremely open to collaboration, and the conversation was both constructive and energising.
Looking Ahead
We left Oxford with a long list of possibilities – perhaps more than we expected when we boarded the early train – and we look forward to sharing updates with members as these ideas begin to take shape.
In the meantime, I would strongly encourage anyone with an interest in Oman, whether academic or personal, to visit the Middle East Centre Archive. It is an outstanding resource, and one that deserves far more attention.
And finally, if you have archival material relating to Oman and would like to ensure it is preserved for the long term, do consider contacting the archive. Contributions of this kind help to protect the historical record and make it available to future generations.