We are all volunteers and bring different experience and skills to the project. On this page, you can find out more about us.
Regional Oral History Coordinators
PAT RODWELL, Coordinator for the midlands/north of england
lives in Birmingham with her partner whose family is from county Cork. She worked for the Careers Service for many years and is particularly interested in the education and work of women. Since retiring, she has taken part in several oral history projects. Pat believes it is important to record the histories of ordinary Irish women.
Caelainn Chitty, coordinator for ireland
is third-generation Irish living in London, her grandparents emigrated from Dublin to London in the 1970s. Her interest in oral history was fostered through her Contemporary History and International Politics MA dissertation. She explored the experiences of Irish immigrants to London between 1955-88, focusing on housing, employment, and police harassment. She has been involved in several oral history projects since this, and is keen to record the stories of everyday Irish people, particularly on topics that historically have been overlooked.
Our volunteers
Annie Mcaleer
is originally from Dundalk, but is now based in Belfast. She is completing a Master’s degree in Public History at Queen’s University Belfast. Her research is focused on working class women’s history, and she is passionate about women collectively claiming space on the historical record.
Stephanie Blythman
was born in Ireland and grew up in County Wicklow. She works in costume for film and TV in London. She also does her own research into the history of stage costume following the completion of her MA in History of Design at the V&A/Royal College of Art. Her research focuses on early seventeenth century French costuming practices and explores what the costumes, costumed bodies, and their iconographic representation say about early modern French understandings of nation, race, gender, and class.
emma elliott-osmond
was born and raised on Whadjuk Noongar Country to an Irish father from Belfast. Her maternal ancestors emigrated to Australia during An Gorta Mór. Emma has a degree in Political Science and International Relations from the University of Western Australia, along with a Master of Communications & Media from Örebro University in Sweden. She has undertaken further studies in counselling, with a particular interest in narrative therapy and the wellbeing benefits of being connected to intergenerational stories.
Alana Lavery
grew up in Buckinghamshire with her familial roots in Belfast. She is a graduate from the University of Edinburgh where she studied History. Her dissertation looked at female paramilitary prisoners in the ‘Troubles’, using oral testimonies to explore the memory and experience of women incarcerated in Armagh Gaol. She continues to be interested in the unique experiences of women and the rich stories that can be unearthed through oral history.
MK Quane
is from Co. Kildare, though is currently based between London and Dublin. With a background in English Studies and filmmaking, MK is passionate about storytelling, access to storytelling and preservation of those stories. Her key areas of interest are around queerness, gender and the importance of representation.
Melissa Murphy
is from Avoca, Co. Wicklow and is in the final year of her Bachelor of Laws degree. She is a member of the National Women’s Council of Ireland Youth Advisory Panel. She enjoys studying history and languages and is delighted to contribute to the research and documentation of women’s experiences in twentieth-century Ireland, ensuring their stories are recognised as an essential part of Irish history.
Kinsey Gentry
is from Knoxville,Tennessee, but currently is pursuing a Bachelor's degree in History and Political Science from Trinity College Dublin. She is particularly interested in the preservation of the past and finding ways to connect her love of history to her passion for media.
