In this edition of UofG Community, we speak with Michael Gallagher, Archivist, about his role at the Archives and Special Collections, their immense value to the institution, and his own journey to the University – as an undergraduate, a postgraduate and now as a colleague.
Part of the team responsible for promoting and facilitating engagement with the University’s vast Archives and Special Collections, Michael engages with the non-academic side of the University, for example with the Development and Alumni team or external partners to the University. The depth and breadth of the Archives and Special Collections are of immense significance to the University and can support the work of colleagues across the institution.
“The Archives and Special Collections are essentially the institutional memory of the University,” says Michael.
“They are fantastic resources for learning, teaching, research , and connecting with our history. Each year they inspire students and bring researchers from across the world to the University”.
The Archives and Special Collections go back as far as 2,000 years, with some of the earliest documents from First Century Greece. The Archives contain the long illustrious history of the University from its formation on High Street to present day. They also house the Scottish Business Archive (amongst other external collections), which tell the story of Glasgow’s industrial past and evolution to the modern city it is today.
First encountering the Archives as an undergraduate in History at the University of Glasgow, Michael found that interacting with the physical documents inspired his research.
“I couldn’t believe that I was able to get access to these primary materials as a student. They really brought a new perspective on my research and a tangible connection to the subject”.
For Michael, this experience sparked a continued interest in archives professionally. After attaining a Postgraduate Degree in Information Management and Preservation at the University of Glasgow, Michael spent a decade in archiving including with the City Archives at the Mitchell Library. He returned to the University of Glasgow in 2023 as an Archivist in his current role.
Like many alumni who return to work at the University can attest, it felt like a homecoming of sorts. “It’s funny that UofG gave me my first taste of archives and now I am back!”.
“The University has been collecting and creating knowledge since its foundation, and it’s a privilege to be part of the current team looking after these collections for future generations."
The wonder of discovering and working with ancient and historic artifacts never truly fades, as Michael says one of the most rewarding aspects of his role is helping Alumni and those connected to the University discover personal connections, be it photographs of ancestors or even documents with the original handwriting.
“We work with family history enquiries often. It’s extremely rewarding to allow people to come view archived materials that they feel a strong personal connection to. You never lose that sense of wonder and it's fantastic to see as they discover the original documents”.
Asked for his favourite collection, Michael says: “It’s like asking a parent to pick their favourite child!
“There are the iconic items: Shakespeare’s First Folio, the Hunterian Psalter, works by William Blake. My personal favourites are those connected to the origins of the University: records that tell the story of how we went from the modest location on High Street to the spawling Gilmorehill campus and beyond that we are today.”
The Archives and Special Collections are a unique and valued asset of the University of Glasgow and are testament to its longevity as an institution.
“The University isn’t successful purely because it is old, rather the University is an ancient institution due to its ability to continually reinvent itself and adapt throughout its history. The Archives are full of evidence of the University’s long history of innovation that allows it to look forward to its upcoming 575th anniversary”.
“It’s fascinating to see how the cutting-edge research connects with the University’s past. The evolution of the campus is a great example – you see the new, modern buildings such as the ARC but the iconic Gilbert Scott Tower remains in the background, embodying the University’s history.
“The University is both innovative and at the forefront of research but also maintains a grounding in heritage – the Archives and Special Collections are a critical part of this.”
However, the growth of the University’s campus can be alarming, as Michael jokes: “I saw a sign recently that pointed towards the ‘Historic Campus’. That made me feel old - when I studied here it was just ‘the Campus’!”