S3 E7 Archiving Loss, Learning, and Time in the Field
Mar 5, 2025
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Historian Lily Pearl Balloffet, who studies South-South connections between Latin America and the Middle East, shares her insights on how the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted vital human relationships in historical research. She reflects on emotional bonds formed through history, the profound loss of a mentor, and navigating grief during the pandemic. Lily also emphasizes the transformative power of friendships in academia, while intertwining themes of nature, memory, and the impact of personal connections in shaping one's scholarly journey.
The podcast emphasizes that historical work thrives on deep human relationships, which were profoundly impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic.
The host's journey illustrates resilience in maintaining academic connections through digital means, showcasing adaptability amidst personal loss and isolation.
Deep dives
The Interplay of Relationships and Research
The podcast examines the deep connections historians form with people during their research, emphasizing that historical work is not a solitary endeavor. The host shares personal experiences of moments when the real faces of historical subjects unexpectedly appeared during archival research, illustrating the emotional resonance of such discoveries. These relationships transcend typical professional boundaries, evolving into meaningful friendships that profoundly shape the researcher's journey. The reflection on the impact of these connections highlights how human relationships inform and enrich the process of understanding the past.
The Impact of COVID-19 on Historical Inquiry
The global pandemic served as a lens that altered perceptions of time and loss, profoundly affecting the host's approach to research and personal connections. The sudden death of a key collaborator sparked a reevaluation of friendships and the nuances of historical narratives during periods of disruption. Despite the challenges posed by social distancing and isolation, the host continued to engage with former colleagues through digital means, illustrating resilience and adaptability in maintaining academic relationships. This shifting landscape underscores how interconnectedness remains vital, even amidst physical separations.
The Quest for Lost Connections and New Beginnings
The narrative also reflects on the journey of seeking lost archival materials and the formation of new collaborations, reinvigorating the exploration of historical subjects. Following the loss of a close friend, the host began reconnecting with new colleagues who shared similar research interests, emphasizing the continuity of historical inquiry despite past losses. This renewal of connections emerges as a driving force, pushing the host to pursue creative avenues for their work, including the production of documentaries. The intertwined themes of loss and rebirth serve as a reminder of the enduring nature of human connections within the historiographical landscape.
Historian Lily Pearl Balloffet explores the real, live human relationships we form in the process of doing historical work and how, for her, those vital connections were decisively disrupted in the years of the global Covid-19 pandemic.
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