March Update: Still in limbo but have a plan

March - Still in limbo but have a plan 

I thought it would be a good time to do a quick update on how I'm getting on with all those targets I set......

Here's a recap: 

For January/February I tasked myself....... 

• Primary research - including visits to Northampton Central Library, Northamptonshire Records Office and potentially London
• Type Up Notes 
• Organise notes into categories/topics (Current plans for General Women, Religion, General philanthropy, politics, organisations including hospitals, local history/geographic factors) 
• Tidy up bibliography list
• Create research list for both primary and secondary
• Create a research timetable
• Write 800/1000 per week - either chapter work or biographies

(To see what I've tasked myself for the whole year check out my last blog post) 

January Update

January was a bit of a damp squib. Although I had 4 weeks off work (Exams and Semester break - nothing major) and had planned to get a large chunk of writing done I did no writing at all.  I did sort out my notes into categories (a working progress which I am hoping to continue this week - I will do a post on my system at some point). I've got a few ideas on what I want to look at next but getting started seems to be a big stumbling block at the moment. 

I did manage to return my 14 library books which did make me feel like I'd achieved something. I'm also up to date with typing my notes for any articles I have read. I like to do this every couple of months to allow both a refresh of things that I have read as well as to tidy up my notes. 

February Update 

February has been a little better. The month started off with me presenting some of my research as part of  the CWSG seminar series. It was an interesting experience and gave me a mini tick for one of my targets for the year. 

Despite my slow progress over the past few months I have been taking the time to catch up with some CPD including taking part in  the following workshops and seminars:

Seminar - Women in Local Government in the Black Country in the 20th Century - Dr Anna Muggeridge - Centre for West Midlands History 

Workshop - Developing Your Online Profile - UoN Graduate School 

Workshop - Introduction to researcher engagement for PGR - UoN Graduate School 

Conference - Power & Patriarchy - University of Liverpool (Online) 

Workshop - Advanced Writing for your Literature Review - UoN Graduate School 

I've found these really useful and it's always good to spend time with fellow PhD students albeit online. I've still not decide which I prefer. Online tends to be more convenient as I can do those from home, however, it's nice to spend time with humans especially after the past two years. 

I also finally made a trip to the Northamptonshire Records Office. It was quite unsuccessful in that you are still unable to order documents whilst you are there which means, if like I had, that the documents you have requested in advance produce no relevant information, it becomes a pointless trip.  I'm planning to spend more time in the Local History library at Northampton Central in March so hopefully that will be a lot more successful. 

I have also started to making mini profiles for my ladies in note form. I haven't decided how to organised these yet to make it easier for when they are needed for topics.  

March Targets

My March targets are similar to the targets to January and February.  I do however want to cement some writing by the Easter  holidays (our semester break is different to the school holidays).  I want to get a start on my political chapter which is what I will be looking for in the Local History Library as that seems to be a more useful place for local politics.  I plan to spend the next week going through my political notes (once I've finished organising them in folders) and get a good basis for a chapter. 

I also plan to start a series of regular blog posts on my women to share some of my research so keep an eye out for that. 

Other News 

I'm currently doing a bit of work with the Northampton Civic Society. This is quite fun and gives me a good opportunity to use my local history knowledge for some good.  Look out for any campaigns I might be pushing in the near future.