Dr Kirsty Fife

I am an early career researcher located within MMU’s iSchool team. I came to MMU after teaching across disciplines (Popular Music, Information Studies) at Leeds Conservatoire, University College London and University of Dundee. 

Prior to moving into academic research, I worked as an archivist in the UK heritage sector for over a decade. In this capacity I worked for organisations including the National Science and Media Museum, the UK Parliamentary Archives, Hoxton Hall and Screen Archive South East. 

Outside of my professional capacity I am active as a community organiser, zine maker and musician in DIY cultures. I also spend a lot of time walking my dog and gardening. 

Academic and professional qualifications

PhD (Information Studies), University College London (2022)

MA Archives and Records Management, University College London (2013)

MA Gender and Cultural Studies, University of Leeds (2009)

BA (hons) Photographic Arts, University of Westminster (2008)

Expert reviewer for external funding bodies

Peer reviewer for journals including Archives and Records, ZINES, Research in Education, Archivaria and the International Journal of Diversity, Inclusion and Information, Information Science. 

Personal website address

kirstyfife.com

My research is located primarily at the intersection of information, DIY culture (zines, music communities, grassroots spaces) and activism. 

Specifically I am interested in developing a better understanding about how information, archiving and documentation practices are utilised within grassroots cultural communities, how socioeconomic circumstances affect the production and preservation of archival traces, and in mapping DIY forms of archival practice.

My other research interests including community-led heritage, workforce diversity, workers’ rights in information and heritage, affective models of archiving, representation of fatness in archives and media, queer histories and archives and participatory archival practice.