Most people quite naturally find themselves surrounded by people who are very much like themselves. We are attracted to people who we feel are similar to us, people who make us feel comfortable and safe. The only trouble with this is that much of life lies beyond our direct experience, which makes it difficult to empathise.

Happily, there are films, documentaries, novels, and more fun media that let us vicariously experience what might be like to be someone other than ourselves. We have put together reading lists that comprise materials that make it quick and easy to find novels, films and more by and about socially disadvantaged groups, from people of the global ethnic majority, LGBTQ+ people, members of the Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller community so it is that much easier for you to expand your horizons from the safety and comfort of your armchair.

We are excited to begin the new year by presenting you with the archives of the Royal Geographical Society (with the Institute of British Geographers) covering 1482-2010.
Funded by research funding from our success in the last Research Excellence Framework exercise, this archive of historical geography is extensive and includes Maps, Atlases, Charts and Plans; Expedition Reports; Fieldnotes, Correspondence and Diaries; Grey Literature; Photographs, Artwork and Illustrations; Journal Manuscripts; Photographs; Proceedings, Lectures, and Ephemera. The collection spans a wide variety of interdisciplinary research areas, and supports educational needs in Anthropology, Area Studies; Cartography and Visualizations, Colonial, Post-Colonial & Decolonisation Studies; Development Studies; Environmental Degradation; Historical & Cultural Geography; Historical Sociology; Human Geography; Identity, Gender & Ethnic Studies; Geology; International Relations; Trade and Commerce, and Law and Policy relating to Colonization and over a hundred special collections.

Artist's impression of librarians upon the arrival of new eresources

Good news, everybody! We now have many more information resources of interest to surprisingly wide audiences, from everything tangentially related to computing to resources that help diversify the curriculum and more archives on British history from Victoriana to the modern day. Whether you are into History, Design, or Electronic Engineering, we have something new here for you.

Search 150 years of scientific discovery The University Library has perpetual access to the British Association for the Advancement of Science – Collections on the History of Science (1830s-1970s) digital archive thanks to an arrangement with Wiley Digital Archives in partnership …

Free Online Training – BAAS Archive Read more »

Following a popular trial, we are delighted to present access to the Armed Conflict Database (ACD), which  monitors armed conflicts worldwide focusing on political, military and humanitarian trends in current conflicts from local rebellions to long-term insurgencies, civil wars and inter-state conflicts. 

A trial has just started for the Chatham House Online Archive.  This archive contains analysis, research, debates and speeches across the twentieth century from the Royal Institute of International Affairs.  The database is available only on campus or via the …

Chatham House Online Archive database trial Read more »

Improvements to the search options within Web of Science is scheduled for to take place on Saturday, 13 December.  Thomson Reuters, the supplier of Web of Science, have warned the service might be unavailable at times during the day and …

Web of Science upgrade (13 December) Read more »

Our premium news service, Nexis UK, covering worldwide newspaper and other media from 1980s to the present is getting better.  An upgrade tomorrow will see a new streamlined search and discovery interface, and more powerful export options for your search …

Nexis UK is changing Read more »