Research

Research at the National Holocaust Centre and Museum

Research is essential to The National Holocaust Centre and Museum's understanding of the collection, and the events of the Holocaust. We continually work to improve our own understanding, and actively encourage research in the field. By working both within and beyond our collection, we strive to produce and support research which furthers the knowledge and understanding of the Holocaust and its legacy. This includes consideration of contemporary challenges, such as the changing role of survivor testimony.

Research conducted at, by, or for the National Holocaust Centre and Museum is governed by our Code of Practice in Research, which promotes integrity and honesty. Please familiarise yourself with the code of conduct, which can be found at the bottom of this page.

The National Holocaust Centre and Museum also houses a large library of books on the Holocaust, and related subject matter. Due to refurbishment of the library the books are inaccessible at this time but we hope to provide access to them as soon as possible.


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Frequently Asked Questions

1) Can I access The National Holocaust Centre and Museum's collection for research purposes?

The National Holocaust Centre and Museum strives to support research and make its collection available where ever possible. However, please be advised that some items in the collection are restricted, on loan, or otherwise unable to be viewed. 

To request access to the The National Holocaust Centre and Museum's collection, please download this form.

2) Can I conduct research at The National Holocaust Centre and Museum?

If you wish to conduct research at The National Holocaust Centre and Museum, including speaking to our survivors, and other visitors, please download and return a research request form and the ethical consent form. We endeavour to meet all requests however we cannot guarantee that your request will be granted.

3) Can you help me find/find out about a specific person?

Unfortunately The National Holocaust Centre and Museum is unable to help with tracing people or personal histories at this time. There are other institutions in the field who will be able to help with enquiries.

4) I am doing a project on X, can you help?

If you are completing an educational project, or personal research then you are encouraged to use our website and online resources as much as possible. Unfortunately we are unable to provide personal project support at this time. 

5) Do you provide resources or educational advice for schools/educators?

Yes - please see the education section of this website for our extensive resources and support. 

Contact Us
e: [email protected]
t: (01623) 836627

Photography on Site
Outside of the two permanent exhibitions (The Holocaust Exhibition and The Journey), within the grounds of the NHCM, hand-held cameras, including those with a flash, may be used for private, non-commercial purposes unless otherwise stated.

All photography within the two exhibitions is prohibited without prior permission from the NHCM. Applications to photograph artefacts, and/or within the exhibitions, must include the context in which the images will be used, the object you wish to photograph (if applicable), the exhibition(s) you wish to photograph, and applications must be submitted at least 5 weeks in advance. The NHCM is not obligated to grant permission, applications will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis, and a fee may apply.

Images of the Journey Exhibition are available on request to visiting school parties, these images must be used in accordance with the NHCM Images Terms and Conditions of Use. The NHCM is not obligated to supply these images.

Enquiries and/or applications should be sent to [email protected] 

Filming on Site       
Filming of any kind, intended for any use including, but not limited to commercial use, is prohibited within the grounds and exhibitions of the NHCM without prior, written permission from the NHCM.

Please find the necessary forms to make an application here. 

Enquiries and/or applications should be sent to [email protected]

The National Holocaust Centre and Museum; Code of Practice for Research
The National Holocaust Centre and Museum expects good research practice from all persons engaged in research at and for the museum and promotes a culture of research integrity.

This code of practice defines the standards expected of all staff, students, contracted and visiting personnel engaging in research at or for The National Holocaust Centre and Museum and will be made public through the museum website. Any persons undertaking research at or for the museum are required to familiarise themselves with and adhere to this Code of Practice. Additionally researchers should ensure they comply with all relevant legal, ethical and moral obligations. 

The guidance within this Code of Practice is based on a number of sources of guidance for good research practice available in the UK and internationally such as Research Councils UK: Policy and Guidelines on Governance of Good Research Conduct February 2013 and the UK Research Integrity Office: Code of Practice for Research.

Research within the museum includes but is not limited to:

• Providing information and/or documentation on the museum’s objects and subject matter, including providing historical context and significance    
• Identifying and acquiring objects for collections and exhibitions.
• Increasing information about the museum audience such as diversity, behaviour, needs, impact of the exhibits and educational programmes

This Code of Practice applies to the entire research process including but not limited to: applying for funding, planning, designing experiments, data collection, data analysis, publishing results and acknowledging the contributions or work of others.

The National Holocaust Centre and Museum expects Researchers to:

• Act with integrity and professionalism
• Demonstrate fairness and equality
• Avoid conflicts of interest
• Ensure the well being of anyone including themselves associated with any research being carried out
• Observe all relevant ethical and legal requirements
• Store primary data securely and appropriately
• Document results accurately
• Acknowledge the contributions of others and provide appropriate references

When conducting research involving members of the public, students and others as subjects or participants researchers must ensure that all participants:

• Understand the relevant research processes
• Know who is undertaking the research and why it is taking place
• Know how the research is to be disseminated
• Know who is financing the research
• Give their informed consent
• Are aware of their right to refuse participation for any reason, at any time and without penalty

Researchers must protect the rights, privacy, interests and sensitivities of any participants.

Data
Data must be collected, stored and recorded in an appropriate format which ensures confidentiality where appropriate. Responsibility and procedures for collection, storage and disposal of data are to be clarified at the start of any research project. Researchers should keep clear and accurate records for future reference allowing them to demonstrate proper research practice, informed consent (if applicable) and answer any questions subject to ethical consent.

Transfer of confidential information via email and storage of confidential information on USB memory sticks is not recommended as these may be misplaced.

Researchers are responsible for ensuring they comply with the Data Protection Act and do not breach copyright.

Ethics
The National Holocaust Centre and Museum expects research to be conducted ethically. All research conducted by, for or at The National Holocaust Centre and Museum must comply with this Code of Practice for Research, and with the museum’s ethics policy.

Prior to commencing, all researchers should report any potential ethical concerns or implications of their research project to a senior staff member who will then decide if any further action should be taken.

Researchers should ensure confidentiality of any participants or subjects of their research and must protect the rights, privacy, interests and sensitivities of any participants.

Participants must give their informed consent, to give informed consent participants must;

Researchers must not coerce people into participation and must treat people respectfully at all times. 

Advertisements for participants require ethical approval; participants must be advised of any financial incentives.

All participants have the right to protection from physical, psychological, social and legal harm at all times during research projects. If any stressful or hazardous contexts or procedures are involved participants must be informed in advance. Researchers must take all appropriate measures to avoid harm both to participants and their local community.

Should an incident occur or a participant becomes distressed the researcher must report this in writing to a senior member of staff immediately. The report should include date, time, location, details of the event and any action taken.

Publication
All publications including but not limited to journal articles, lectures, books and web content must report research accurately, honestly and with appropriate referencing acknowledging the contributions of others.  

Researchers are encouraged to disseminate their finished research whilst observing relevant confidentiality measures. Dissemination of results must be done responsibly and only with awareness of potential consequences in the media.     

Researchers should make relevant data relating to published research available to other researchers on request, subject to any appropriate ethical consent.

Finance
The financing of research should be in accordance with the museum’s financial regulations. When submitting grant applications researchers should ensure all information included is accurate.

Conflicts of Interest
Researchers are required to avoid wherever possible and fully disclose any potential or actual conflict of interest to a senior staff member who will decide if any further action needs to be taken. Conflicts of interest can be ethical, legal, moral, personal or of another nature such as involvement with any organisation providing financial support for their research project.

Misconduct
Misconduct is defined as deviation from The National Holocaust Centre and Museum’s Code of Practice for Research including but not limited to:

• Plagiarism: Using the work of others without permission or acknowledgment
• Fraud: Deliberate deception including fabrication of results
• Collusion: aiding, attempting to aid or failing to report research misconduct by others.
• Interference: damage or removal of others’ research related property
• Deliberate breach of legal, ethical, moral or museum requirements

Any research misconduct or suspected misconduct should be reported to a senior staff member.

The National Holocaust Centre and Museum will investigate misconduct, allegations of misconduct or any complaints of research misconduct and ensure any necessary appropriate action is taken.   

Guidance on referencing and avoidance of plagiarism is available from The National Holocaust Centre and Museum on request.

Exchange of Ideas
Researchers should, whilst recognising the need for protection of their own and The National Holocaust Centre and Museum’s research interests, create an environment of co-operation which fosters the open exchange of ideas. All researchers are encouraged to develop their skills and receive or provide support and direction where required.

Researchers must observe relevant confidentiality of information, particularly regarding incomplete or unpublished work, but are expected to be as open as possible when discussing their research with other researchers or members of the public.

Other Professional Bodies and Legislation
The National Holocaust Centre and Museum expects all researchers to make themselves aware of legal requirements regulating their work such as data protection requirements and health and safety legislation. Relevant legislation includes but is not limited to: The Data Protection Act 1998 and The Freedom of Information Act 2000.

Researchers should observe standards of research practice published by other relevant professional bodies such as Research Councils UK.

Researchers should also observe any relevant code of conduct for relevant professional bodies they are members of.

The National Holocaust Centre and Museum Relevant Policies and Guidance

• Museum Ethics Policy   
• Staff Code of Conduct
• Financial Regulations
• Referencing and Plagiarism Guidelines
• Collections Development Policy
• The NHCM terms of use 

http://www.rcuk.ac.uk/RCUK-prod/assets/documents/reviews/grc/RCUKPolicyandGuidelinesonGovernanceofGoodResearchPracticeFebruary2013.pdf

UK Research Integrity Office: Code of Practice for Research

http://www.ukrio.org/publications/code-of-practice-for-research/

Victoria and Albert Museum: Code of Good Practice in Research 

http://www.vam.ac.uk/content/articles/c/code-of-good-practice-in-research/

The British Museum: Code of Good Research Practice

https://www.britishmuseum.org/pdf/The%20British%20Museum%20Good%20Research%20Practice.pdf

Museums Association: Code of Ethics

http://www.museumsassociation.org/ethics/10963