A ground-breaking centre for collections-led research: the University Library Research Institute 18 months on

18 months since its launch, Head of Research Dr Amelie Roper reflects on a critical period in the formation of the University Library Research Institute, a ground-breaking centre for collections-led research.

What is the University Library Research Institute?

Founded in May 2023 and based at Cambridge University Library, the University Library Research Institute (ULRI) is a vibrant, inclusive community of researchers and practitioners at all career stages, working together to make a difference to culture and society.

Drawing on the breadth and depth of the expertise of staff across the University of Cambridge Libraries, our collections and our infrastructure, the mission of the ULRI is to enhance international scholarship by connecting people and collections. It builds on the University Library’s long history of embedded fellowships, readerships and research units, including the Sandars Readership in Bibliography, the Munby Fellowship in Bibliography and the Genizah Research Unit.

The foundation of the ULRI is further strengthened by the existence of exceptional museum collections across Cambridge, and complementary research initiatives elsewhere in the University. These include the Collections-Connections-Communities Strategic Research Initiative, which works across Cambridge’s galleries, libraries, archives, museums and garden collections, and the Collections and Communities in the East of England Collaborative Doctoral Partnerships programme.

"By building on and bringing together research activities that the University Library has been pursuing for decades, the ULRI enables cutting-edge, impactful research through the Library’s world-class collections."

Dr Amelie Roper, Head of Research

3D models of CUL collection items by Cambridge Heritage Imaging Laboratory

World-leading research

We currently have a portfolio of 35 research projects all focused on the ULRI’s strategic priority of discovery: generating new knowledge about our collections, exploring their diversity, and making it easier for people to find and use our holdings. Library staff are involved in a variety of roles, including Project Lead, Project Co-Lead, Research Assistant, Curatorial Expert, Heritage Photographer, Conservator and Project Cataloguer.

Last year, we announced our involvement in two significant heritage science projects funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC): "Small performances”: investigating the typographic punches of John Baskerville (1707-75); and Hidden in plain sight: historical and scientific analysis of premodern sacred books. We also celebrated the second anniversary of the Curious Cures in Cambridge Libraries project. Beyond heritage science and medieval medicine, our research themes range from sustainable digital research infrastructure to new approaches to long-form publishing.

In July 2024, we delivered the Re-entangling the Visual Archive project funded by Collections-Connections-Communities Strategic Research Initiative. In collaboration with Anglia Ruskin University and Zambia Belonging, emerging Zambian-based artists produced creative responses to the often challenging material in our Royal Commonwealth Society and Centre of African Studies Library Collections.

Developing our offering for early career researchers

In our first 18 months, we have also welcomed new Fellows, announced new visiting scholar programmes and run a series of research events and activities to foster a supportive environment for early career researchers. Alongside our existing Munby Fellowship in Bibliography and Oschinsky Research Associateship in Medieval Studies, in June 2023, we launched our first Visiting Fellow Programme which saw Dr Christina Morin (Trinity College Dublin) join us to research her project 'Irish Gothic in the Global Nineteenth Century'. And in June and July 2024, Liberation Collection Visiting Scholar Dr Marie Puren (EPITA Research Laboratory) undertook a project on The New Editorial and Literary Landscape in Post-War France (1944-1946).

Setting the agenda for collections-led research

The ULRI was founded to enable collaborations between individuals and institutions locally, nationally and internationally that set the agenda for collections-led research.

We define collections-led research as sustained, systematic and creative inquiry into our collections that cannot be conducted through use of standard reading room and other library services alone. Working with academics, technicians and a range of other professionals, library practitioners contribute their unique skills and experiences to generate new knowledge and methodologies related to our collections, be they physical, digital, ancient or modern.

Our focus on collections-led research supports the Library’s overall mission to make the University of Cambridge Libraries the most inspiring and accessible gateway to knowledge for all. The work of the ULRI is underpinned by the Library’s flagship goal to be a world-leading centre for research and impact through collections through our Research Institute and public programmes. By aligning our research portfolio with the Library’s strategy, the activities we undertake also support other priorities, including the creation of a world-class digital library experience and the transformation of the University Library into a compelling destination for those curious about Cambridge and our collections.

Show and tell of medical manuscripts which are being conserved, digitised and catalogued as part of the Curious Cures in Cambridge Libraries project

A groundbreaking centre in the UK academic library sector

Research libraries across the UK are involved in research projects in various capacities, with library practitioners increasingly recognised as expert contributors in the research ecosystem. Whilst a number of other library- and archive-related research centres exist, the ULRI is unique in the UK academic library sector in having a dedicated, in-house Research Development Team, providing cradle-to-grave support for the University Library’s research activities.

This embedded team allows the ULRI to develop competitive research funding bids centred on our collections and to deliver the resulting research projects. The team also fosters collaborations with academics within the University and beyond, leads the governance and processes to ensure our research is conducted ethically and responsibly, and supports library staff to be research active. The ULRI Director, Dr Mark Purcell, and Academic Director, Professor Orietta Da Rold, work closely with the Research Development Team to ensure the ULRI’s activities align with the wider Library strategy and the research mission of the University.

We believe that collaboration produces results that are more than the sum of their parts and the ULRI is already establishing itself as a trusted collaborator both within the University of Cambridge and further afield. We are continually looking outwards, with a range of partnerships leading to new disciplinary insights and mutually-beneficial skills sharing and outreach activities.

As well as working closely with colleagues across the University of Cambridge, since our formation, our research partners have included Anglia Ruskin University, the Courtauld Institute of Art, Coventry University, Birmingham City University, the Open University, Sheffield University, Trinity College Dublin, the University of California San Diego, the University of Edinburgh, the University of Exeter, Zambia Belonging, the University of Leeds, the University of Liverpool, the University of Münster and the University of Southampton.

Looking ahead...

We will be continuing our in-house professional development programme, specifically tailored to librarians, archivists, curators, conservations and digital image specialists. This will comprise a blend of talks from external experts, presentations from library staff on their involvement with research projects and our Research Funding 101 training session for library staff. In addition, we expect to be able to announce the expansion of our research portfolio with some exciting new initiatives – watch this space!

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^{Photography by Raffaella Losito, Blazej Mikula and Lizzie Woodman.}

^{Cover image: 3D scans of the original Baskerville punches as part of the 'Small performances' research project.}
^{Mailing list image: Pigment consolidation by Conservation team on medical manuscript CUL}^{MS Ii.5.11}^{. Photograph by Rachel Sawicki.}