HAP is the new and rebranded version of the Gerald Aylmer Seminar run in partnership with The National Archives(Opens in new window) and the Royal Historical Society (Opens in new window). The Gerald Aylmer Seminar has been hosted annually by these three institutions for nearly 20 years (2002 to 2021).

History and Archives in Practice is an opportunity for archivists and historians to meet to discuss collections and research practices. In this way, it mirrors the aims of the earlier Aylmer Seminar. However, from March 2023 History and Archives in Practice brings a new format and a greater focus on the collections that lie at the heart of our work.

As its name suggests, our new-look event will highlight research practices, and consider these in relation to distinctive collections. To launch History and Archives in Practice, the 2023 event will take place at the Institute of Historical Research in London. The theme will be ‘Collecting Communities: Working together and with collections’.

From 2024, History and Archives in Practice will endeavour to partner with an additional UK archive/institution which likewise specialises in the bringing together of archivists and researchers. Each year we’ll draw on aspects of UK collections and emerging research being undertaken, integrating it into the conference programme. This new format enables a formerly London-based conference to take place at archive centres across the UK.