Historical Researcher for Speaker’s Corner

Research Brief

The Royal Parks
The Royal Parks is an executive agency of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. The Royal Parks aim to conserve and enhance the heritage value and varied character of the Royal Parks while continuing to provide and improve cultural opportunities for the local and wider visiting public. The eight Royal Parks are; Greenwich Park, The Green Park, St. James’s Park & Victoria Tower Gardens, Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens & Brompton Cemetery, The Regent’s Park, Bushy Park and Richmond Park. The agency is also responsible for Grosvenor Square and the gardens of Nos. 10 & 11 Downing Street.

Speaker’s Corner in Hyde Park is an internationally recognised site for free speech by the public for the public. To reinvigorate people’s engagement with the site The Royal Parks wish to develop partnerships with other organisations to produce a series of arts events which encourage creative expression of people’s values and passions. 

To inform and celebrate this unique place in British history and contemporary life we are considering the possibility of a programme of events, exhibitions, workshops and presentations that further disseminate the history of free speech based on this site which would attract new orators. If possible the programme would include artist’s commissions that would inform a design process for development of the park landscape at Speaker’s Corner.

The Royal Parks now wish to engage an historical researcher who will research the history of the site, significant and curious speeches, trends and scandals as well as the wealth of writing about the significance and history of Speaker’s Corner. The research would inform our programme of events and commissions, provide source materials for the production of information and interpretation for visitors (both international and domestic), teachers’ packs and on-line resources.

The research will cover both published books and articles and original archive sources and therefore will require visits to a number of libraries and archives. These are likely to include the City of Westminster Archive Centre, The National Archives, the British Library (and Sound Archive), and the Bishopsgate Institute, which holds the archives of the Reformer’s League.

Research Period and Fee
The Researcher will be paid by the Royal Parks and supervised by the Arts & Events Manager of The Royal Parks with input from the Project Team including Landscape Design and Education Departments based at Hyde Park, although much of the actual research will be undertaken off-site. The Royal Parks now wish to invite quotes for this research. In your written application you should indicate your methodology and experience, proposed scope of research based on the specification below and your fee. The contract awarded will be to the value of between £6,000 and £8,000. You should also indicate the ratio of research and report writing time breakdown clearly with associated cost. The research period is three months and will be completed by March 2010.

Research Specification
To identify and describe historical published material and archives which relates to Speakers’ Corner and the Reformers Tree in Hyde Park, London and to produce a timeline of the site that contextualises events with recognisable historic and social references. Research will focus on four areas: Key historical speakers and speeches; protest; the social and political relevance of Speaker’s Corner, video and photographic material. Principal sources of research will be as above. You will be responsible for conducting all research into historical sources.

Person Specification
You will have the ability to produce high quality publications, for use by the Royal Parks, on website, in educational materials and print.

Essential
•    Minimum academic qualification of first degree in History (single or joint honours) or equivalent. Prior experience of historical research using original sources
•    Considerable evidence of an ability to produce academic publications of the highest quality.
•    Good administrative skills including time management, report writing to strict deadlines and day-to-day budgeting.
•    Clear communication and good interpersonal skills.
•    Experience of using websites to present historical information

Application Process
Please send us a covering letter that details your relevant experience and qualifications. You should demonstrate how you will respond to the brief, your research methodology and how you will present your findings. You should also describe how you will use the research period (approximately ten weeks) as well as your rates. You should include where possible examples of your previous research and written work. We will also require a reference from a suitable referee.

The closing date for received applications is end of Friday 22 January 2010. Please return completed application forms to Alistair Raphael, Arts & Events Manager, The Royal Parks, Old Police House, Hyde Park, W2 2UH or email to araphael@royalparks.gsi.gov.uk
For an informal conversation regarding the project prior to applying please contact Alistair Raphael on 0207 298 2078, direct line.