As part of the RETLAMI-SEE project activities, the online training “Digging through the Scraps: An Introduction to Archival Research on Labour and Migration in Southeast Europe” was held on February 20, 2025. This training was dedicated to the fundamental principles of archival research, with a special focus on approaches and methods for using archival sources in the study of labour and migration in Southeast Europe.
The training was led by Goran Musić and Rory Archer from the Research Centre for the History of Transformations (RECET) at the University of Vienna, and gathered 42 participants, including PhD students and researchers from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Serbia, Austria, Germany, as well as other European countries.
Training Content and Objectives
The training provided an introduction to archival research, offering participants practical guidelines for:
- Planning archive visits and using archival finding aids
- Identifying and analyzing archival sources relevant to labour and migration research
- Understanding the challenges of archival research, including ethical aspects and accessibility of sources
Through an interactive format, participants had the opportunity to ask questions, discuss their research experiences, and exchange strategies for working with archival materials. The lecturers shared examples from their own research, highlighting the challenges and opportunities of working in archives across Southeast Europe.
A Resource for Future Research
This online training represents the first in a series of events that RETLAMI-SEE is organizing to strengthen the research capacities of young and early-career researchers. As part of our knowledge dissemination strategy and support for the research community, the training recording is now available online and can be accessed through our website.
📺 Watch the training recording and explore additional resources on this link: Publications
RETLAMI-SEE continues to organize trainings, workshops, and other educational events aimed at supporting researchers in developing methodological and analytical skills. We invite all interested parties to follow our activities and participate in future events.
