The Pandemic Histories Archive project allows students to document their own or others’ experiences of living through the COVID-19 pandemic. This includes current events related to social justice, including anti-Black racism. Undergraduates in University of California Irvine’s School of Social Ecology may participate in this project as part of their Field Study service requirement. More information on UCI Field Study can be found on their website. During a 10-week remote internship, students receive training in oral history and ethnographic techniques, and gain experience creating materials of enduring historical significance. Through writing fieldnotes about daily life, conducting interviews, capturing photographs, and creating other media, students will have the opportunity to contribute to UC Irvine Libraries collection number “AS-222,” the School of Social Ecology Pandemic Histories Archive.

The background of this website is a photograph of a back bay located beside UCI, taken by Associate Dean Richard Matthew on December 13th, 2020.

Team

Our Students

As of Spring 2021, over 180 students have participated in this project. Our student team members are UCI undergraduates completing their Field Study graduation requirement. Students seeking a baccalaureate degree in the School of Social Ecology must complete fieldwork with an approved community partner while engaged in a small group seminar facilitated by faculty. Click here to see what students have said about their internship experience!

Project Leadership

This project was developed in collaboration between the School of Social Ecology and UCI Libraries, thanks to the efforts of Associate Deans Susan Bibler Coutin and Richard Matthew, UCI archivists Elvia Arroyo-Ramirez and Thuy Vo Dang, Social Ecology Library Liaison Julia Gelfand, Field Study Director Dmitry Tsukerman, Field Study Program Coordinator Lizet Ceja, Executive Assistant Nancy Le, and Teaching Assistants Vivianna Goh and Caitlin Benedict. Click here to view project leadership biographies.