Oral histories: the British Council in action
Reflecting on 90 Years of Cultural Relations and Global Engagement
Join members of the British Council Digital Library for a thought-provoking session that explores the British Council’s impact over nine decades, through the lens of its landmark 90th anniversary oral history project.
To mark the British Council’s 90th anniversary in 2024, oral history interviews were recorded with former colleagues and global partners, capturing reflections on the organisation’s purpose, impact, and reach across diverse contexts. Now being archived at the British Library, these interviews complement a similar collection from the 75th anniversary.
The session will be led by James Perkins, Head of Research Excellence at the British Council, who coordinated the Oral Histories: The British Council in Action project. The session will feature Amol Padwad, a project interviewee and renowned ELT expert from India, who brings over four decades of insight into cultural and educational exchange.
Together, these collections offer a powerful opportunity to reflect on the changing nature of international cultural relations. We invite you to join this meaningful conversation — looking back to better understand the road ahead.
Date: Friday 11 July 2025
Time: 11.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. UTC / 12.30 p.m. to 13.30 p.m. BST
To register for the session: Oral histories: the British Council in action | British Council
To explore the 90th anniversary oral histories collection: Oral histories | British Council
