How Did We Get Here?

About the Project

How Did We Get Here? was developed by a small team of volunteers as part of the AHRC-funded project Communities and Crowds. This project is run in collaboration with researchers and curators at the National Science and Media Museum in Bradford, United Kingdom, as well as with the Zooniverse teams at Oxford University and the Adler Planetarium in Chicago, United States.

Photographs and documents were selected and digitised by a group of local volunteers who were interested in exploring the representation of African-Caribbean history in the collection. Selected archival materials were curated from from the Daily Herald Archive, an archive of over 3 million photographs, contact sheets, and glass negatives from the British newspaper The Daily Herald, which was published between 1912 and 1964. This creates the basis for this Zooniverse project, which aims to enhance our understanding of archival collections through dialogue and engagement with archival materials.

You can read more about the Daily Herald Archive, as well as the decisions by the project team to retain the original organization and language of the archival materials, in The Daily Herald Archive section of the Field Guide.

Project Aims

The main aim of this Zooniverse project is to challenge assumptions about the movement of people pre/post war into the UK, and to illuminate our understanding of archival photographs. We want to encourage people to look at these archival materials and help us fill in gaps of knowledge through transcribing and classification, and through conversation.

Increasing the accessibility of these photographs and documents for the long-term is a crucial part of the project. This will be facilitated using digitalization and crowdsourcing platforms, such as Zooniverse, where museum data can be generated and enhanced by online volunteers and community members.

Why does this Research Matter?

This project is a collaborative effort to enhance our understanding of historical photos and documents and provide a unique perspective on the movement of people and the contributions of African Caribbean people to the United Kingdom. It is an opportunity to create a lasting record of lived experiences, moments in time, and snapshots of a different era.

Archival materials are often at risk of being forgotten or overlooked. This could have a significant impact on future generations, resulting in the loss of generational knowledge and understanding of African-Caribbean journeys to the United Kingdom and their experiences afterwards.
It is our hope that by increasing the accessibility and reach of this collection, researchers of all backgrounds and expertise can benefit. We hope that the work of this project will generate resources and inspiration for further research, as well as provide new insights and perspectives to further shape our collective understanding of past events and changing societal attitudes.

How can I Contribute?

We welcome volunteers with any level of experience or skill set to contribute to our project. Whether you are passionate about history, photography, or just want to help preserve cultural heritage, there is a place for you on our team.

Volunteers can take on specific tasks such as transcribing and classifying photographs and documents, as well as contribute personal knowledge, recollections, or engage in conversation with other volunteers through our Talk Function.

Data generated by Zooniverse volunteers will be moderated by our main project team before being ingested back into the museum, ensuring accurate and appropriate information is available for future researchers and interested members of the public.

We believe that everyone has a valuable perspective to bring to the project. We encourage volunteers to share their personal experiences and insights on the subjects represented in archival materials. This not only adds to the richness of the archive but also ensures that diverse perspectives are represented. We also invite volunteers to help raise awareness of the project and its goals by sharing information on our website. With your support, we can continue to preserve and share the unique stories and journeys of the African Caribbean community for generations to come.

Content Warning

As the archival materials in this project date back to a period of heightened political debates and civil protest on issues of racism, xenophobia, and colonialism, there is some content that may be considered upsetting or disturbing. This includes images and language relating to violence and extreme hate against African-Caribbean people and other ethnic minority groups.

If you choose to participate in this project, we encourage you to prioritize self-care when necessary; this may mean that you skip certain photographs or take breaks from volunteering.

For further information on how to best approach disturbing or upsetting material, including a list of resources, please see our Field Guide entry on Encountering Upsetting Material.