The University is delighted to announce that it has been selected to host the UK National Coordinator for the European Holocaust Research Infrastructure (EHRI).
The EHRI, a Horizon 2020 funded project, has been in existence since 2010, dedicated to coordinating the development of a transnational network of Holocaust research institutes, archives and commemorative foundations, and to safeguarding and sharing original research materials related to this history.
The EHRI Portal enables online access to information about Holocaust sources, no matter where they are located and EHRI’s extensive programme of networking and training brings people together to share expertise and develop interdisciplinary approaches in their work. EHRI also creates and promotes innovative tools that advance the digital transformation of Holocaust research globally.
Southampton and EHRI-UK have been awarded more than £1m by the AHRC to cover the first 5 years of the project. EHRI has just been granted the prestigious permanent status of a European Research Infrastructure Consortium (ERIC), of which the UK is a founding member. Under the banner of EHRI-UK, Southampton will be working in partnership with colleagues at the Wiener Holocaust Library, the National Archives and Royal Holloway, University of London. Southampton’s significant role in the infrastructure reflects both the long-standing tradition of pioneering Holocaust research and education represented by the Parkes Institute and the presence of wide-ranging Holocaust-related archives in the University’s Special Collections, particularly in the areas of refugee experiences and relief work.
The project will be led by Dr Rachel Pistol, the Director of EHRI-UK, who joined the department of History and the Parkes Institute as a Senior Research Fellow in 2024. Rachel is a digital historian and has been part of the Project Management Board of EHRI since 2020. She is also the Historical Advisor for World Jewish Relief, formerly the Central British Fund and is working on new ways to make their extensive archive on refugees who came to Britain during the 1930s and 1940s more accessible.
Neil Gregor, Director of the Parkes Institute, said: “I’m delighted that Southampton has been chosen to perform this co-ordinating role, and am very pleased to welcome Rachel to the Department of History and to Parkes. Southampton has a lot to contribute to this important project, working in collaboration with many other distinguished centres both in the UK and internationally. I am simultaneously pleased to think of the opportunities it will bring for students on the new MA Holocaust: History, Experience, Heritage to deepen their understanding of digital curation and international research networking.”
Rachel Pistol, Director of EHRI-UK, said: ‘It is a great privilege to be launching EHRI-UK and I am elated to have joined the Department of History and the Parkes Institute as I assume this role. I am very much looking forward to engaging with colleagues and students at Southampton and beyond as we explore the exciting opportunities this infrastructure will create. This is just the beginning of a long-term project to build a dedicated network of Holocaust related institutions, academics and researchers across the UK and the larger international EHRI network. It is also a wonderful opportunity to bring more digital humanities expertise to Southampton.”
Karen Robson, Head of Archives and Special Collections, said: “It is fitting that the EHRI should be hosted at Southampton, the home for the Parkes Library, building on the long tradition of James Parkes’ research and education work”.