Oral History 2.0: Identity, Conversations and Methodology
Presented at the oral history society conference 2015 Oral histories of Science, Technology and Medicine Abstract: The digital revolution and the democratisation of the internet have increased the availability and accessibility of oral history artefacts on the internet. A Google search for “oral history” brings up a plethora of stakeholders ranging from institutions like the British Library, to community oral history projects. Here, we can follow the trajectory of narratives from a broad range of subjects through audio excerpts, short film clips, animations, illustrations, maps and photographs. This allows us to bypass the written word and experience the narrative in multi -modal ways. This transformation is palpable. There is a growing literature about the relationship between emergent digital technologies and oral history practice, however we are yet to consider in detail how the digital and internet revolution has affected our subjects. The internet and social media has opened up a space for marginalised voices, not only to “speak for themselves” but to construct their online identities. In my project about the role which activists played in the medical marijuana movement, majority of my subjects have an extensive internet and social media presence. Websites, facebook and blogs are strategic branding tools used to construct identities, personal narratives and ideologies creating multiple layers of information and the blurring of boundaries between, the “ person” “the branded person” and the “networked person.” “Networked person” is a working terminology which refers to online information about the subject. This paper will use a case study approach to open up discussions and explore the methodological and ethical issues in conducting oral history within this framework
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Oral History 2.0: Identity, Conversations and Methodology
- 1. Yewande Okuleye University of Leicester Oral History 2.0: Identity, Conversations and Methodology
- 2. #THE NETWORKED REVOLUTION CHALLENGES ORAL HISTORY PRACTICE Introduction
- 3. This is how the conversation will go
- 5. From pleasure and pain to the development of a Pharmaceutical grade cannabis extract 1998 -2004
- 8. So what is Oral History 2.0?
- 9. Patient Activist Patient Activist The Emergence of the Patient Activist 2.0 Active mid 90’s Active 2014
- 11. Activists Now Second Generation Activists What is your elevator pitch? Embodied Technologies
- 12. Keep calm and have some composure
- 14. Oral historians in dialogue with different disciplines
Editor's Notes
- Have Oral Historians fully considered and engaged with the web 2.0 participant?
- This paper will The first part gives you on overview about my research on the development of cannabis based medicine in the UK This will be followed by the brief discussion on how access to broadband, social media and mobile technologies has influenced our participants. Finally I will use a case study example to illustrate these changes and discuss how this has impacted my research methodology.
- In 2005, the launch of Sativex, a cannabis based extract formulated to alleviate spasticity in MS patients was a game changer in drug development. GW Pharmaceuticals had developed a pharmaceutical grade cannabis. http://www.gwpharm.com/library.aspx
- The launch of legitimised cannabis as a medicine paved the way to a resurgence of interest in the medicinal benefits of the cannabis plant, Although the arguments about the distinction of using cannabis for pleasure or to alleviate pain might still surface in relation to medical cannabis, the focus of the pharmaceutical grade cannabis extract brings the discussion into the clinical realm. "Cannabis helps my body relax. I function and move much easier. The physical effects are very clear. It is not just a vague feeling of well-being“ Clare Hodges Medical cannabis activist
- Social media is what it says on the can. It is social. Https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chatroulette Enjoy fast and fun mobile conversation! Snap a photo or a video, add a caption, and send it to a friend. They’ll view it, laugh, and then the Snap disappears from the screen – unless they take a screenshot!
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- 1st generation medical cannabis activists like Clare Hodges (6 July 1957 – 23 August 2011) did not use social media "Cannabis helps my body relax. I function and move much easier. The physical effects are very clear. It is not just a vague feeling of well-being" MS patient and medical cannabis activist. Branded Self Me 2.0 shows job seekers and established professionals alike how to leverage the power of online media for personal empowerment and career success. Developing a personal brand is one of the best ways to prepare for a successful activist strategy Clare Hodges (1957-2011) medical cannabis activist, Founder of ACT(1992)Provided oral evidence to the House of Lords in 1998 Wikipedia Newspaper articles, radio? TV? Personal papers are in the Wellcome Collection – Clare Hodges pseudonym Elizabeth Brice My birth name is Elizabeth Clare Brice. Clare Hodges is a name I adopted to run the ACT to protect my children Clark French (29years) medical cannabis activist United Patients Alliance NORML Website & social media platforms, radio, TV, Documentary film Grassroots (the cannabis revolution) Kickstarter campaign
- Second generation medical cannabis activists are immersed in social media? How does this impact the interview
- Where is the slippage? What information can we glean from this?
- What issues does this present in my methodology and how am I going to address this?
- Oral historians need to engage in dialogue with scholars from other disciplines