Trustee vacancies at the Oral History Society
The Oral History Society currently has several vacancies on its Board of Trustees which runs the charity. We welcome expressions of interest in fulfilling these roles. This is a great opportunity to join an enthusiastic, engaged and friendly group of people committed to encouraging people of all ages to record their own and other people’s life stories, reflecting and presenting the diversity of our society today. We welcome both first-time and experienced trustees to join us in helping to shape the Society and oral history in the UK.
What does the Society do?
For more than fifty years the Oral History Society has played a leading role in the development of oral history, both in the UK and internationally.
It is dedicated to the collection and preservation of oral history, and to making this accessible to everyone. It does this by:
- Offering practical advice and support about all aspects of collecting, preserving and using oral histories
- Providing a voice for oral historians: advising and collaborating with national organisations, funders and research councils on oral history
- Supporting over thirty experienced oral historians as locally based Regional Advisers – a point of contact for anyone interested in oral history
- Publishing a twice-yearly print journal as well as web-based content via ‘Oral History Journal Online’
- Maintaining a website featuring start-up advice, blogs, bibliographies, training, journal back-issue information, useful links, and job vacancies. Members may advertise job vacancies and opportunities for project volunteers on our volunteering page
- Holding conferences, events and seminars, bringing together individuals and groups to share ideas, experience and good practice
- Running a host of special interest groups (SIGs) on a range of topics including archives, climate change/environment, creative oral history, LGBTQ+, migration, and press and journalism.
What do Trustees do?
Trustees are responsible for the management of the Society’s business as a charity, in accordance with our Constitution. They guide the charity’s direction, aims and objectives, ensuring it is effectively run and financially secure. To find out more about what it means to be a trustee of a charity read this guidance.
Being a trustee involves attendance at quarterly meetings of the Board of Trustees. Trustees are entitled to claim travel and out of pocket expenses for attendance. Meetings are hybrid, held at the British Library in London and online via Teams. Trustees are strongly encouraged to attend meetings in person, and we also expect Trustees to attend the Society’s Annual General Meeting.
According to their particular area(s) of knowledge and expertise, Trustees also take responsibility for a specific aspect of the Board’s work, as an individual or a member of one of its sub-committees, reporting to the Board on a regular basis. Examples currently include events, regional network, membership, finance, and involvement in the Society’s Special Interest Groups (SIGs).
How can I benefit from being a Trustee?
New Trustees are provided with an experienced Trustee as a mentor during their first year of office and the role provides great opportunities to network with all kinds of oral historians across the UK. Training and support are provided as required.
The role could also be helpful in developing a range of personal and professional skills and knowledge in oral history and in running a charity. Depending on your interests these might include strategy and governance, leadership, meeting and events planning and organisation, scrutiny of management accounts, compliance and risk assessment, fundraising, or publicity and social media.
What do I need to become a Trustee?
Trustees must be members of the Oral History Society.
We are looking for committed individuals with time to devote to the charity, who have recent experience in at least one area of oral history such as interviewing, project management, museums/libraries/archives, higher education or schools, podcasts/radio, video/film-making, social media, or using oral history in community projects. We are also particularly seeking people with experience of working with young people and in publicity and communications.
You don’t need to have been a trustee of any organisation previously to apply.
How do I apply?
Please send an email or letter outlining your experience and what you feel you can contribute to the role, along with a Curriculum Vitae (CV), to Rob Perks, OHS Secretary, at [email protected] by Sunday 1 November 2026. Or if you would prefer to have an informal chat about the role first, please email Rob.
Letters and CVs of all potential Trustees are read and discussed by the Board’s Nominations Sub-Committee, and recommendations made to the Board at its next scheduled meeting. If accepted by the Trustees, any nominee applications are then presented to the Society’s Annual General Meeting for election. There is more information about this process and a full description of the roles and responsibilities of trustees at https://ohs.org.uk/who-we-are/society-documents/.
Updated September 2026
