It is with great pleasure that we announce the appointment of Dr Paul Dryburgh, Principal Record Specialist at the National Archives, as an Honorary Fellow of the Centre of Medieval and Early Modern Studies (MEMS) for the next three years. Said Dr Ryan Perry, Co-Director of MEMS:
A number of our PhD students whose research has taken them to the National Archives will already know of the advice, support and training that Dr Dryburgh has generously given to members of the MEMS community, particularly to those who have taken up placements in the National Archives. Paul has an impressive constellation of skills and interests that makes him a fantastic asset to the National Archives- and now a most welcome addition to the MEMS team. We are hoping to celebrate Paul’s official affiliation with MEMS in the near future, including having him lead a workshop for postgraduates on using the archives and documentary materials as part of research projects.
Dr Dryburgh’s online staff profile at the National Archives describes him as, ‘an archivist and historian who specialises in government and society in the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries. After completing his doctorate at the University of Bristol, Paul worked for a decade on academic research projects, which included the creation of a handbook for sources relating to medieval Ireland at The National Archives and an online and in-print edition of the Fine Rolls of King Henry III (1216-72).
Prior to joining The National Archives as a Medieval Record Specialist in 2014, Paul worked as an access archivist at the Borthwick Institute, University of York.
Paul’s current research interests include ecclesiastical records, medieval Ireland, and the materiality of collections, particularly seals. He is also has a keen interest in the training of training of linguistic and palaeographic skills needed to access medieval records.
Paul’s work has involved considerable engagement with digital humanities and the creation of large datasets with potential for linking data, and he is keen to explore future opportunities in this field.
Paul is Joint General Editor of the Pipe Roll Society, Honorary Secretary of the Lincoln Record Society, and President of the Mortimer History Society. He is also a member of the AHRC peer review college’.
Details of the research workshops which Dr Dryburgh will be running for postgraduate students at the University of Kent will be announced soon.