Research

As an academic library, we support scholars in their research. However, we also lead research on our own collections, which is crucial to our stewardship of the collections and to the intellectual development of subject knowledge.

Research is fostered through curatorial work, enquiries, projects and grants undertaken with other institutions and universities worldwide. It is communicated to the wider public through temporary and permanent exhibitions, lectures and conferences, as well as through workshops and social media. Research is essential to the dynamic reappraisal of our collections and knowledge about art, society and the world around us. The research we do has national and international relevance. Research is led across a broad range of subject areas and collections disciplines.

Research at the Bodleian

Conservation research

The Conservation and Collections Care team in the Bodleian Libraries, comprising over 19 conservation experts, lead research on their work and the collections.

Discover more about Bodleian's conservation research

Woman demonstrates arts and crafts activity for child

Public engagement with research

Public engagement with research describes the many ways that members of the public can be involved in the design, conduct and dissemination of research. High-quality engagement is a two-way process with the goal of generating mutual benefit between the public and researchers and ultimately enhancing the quality or impact of research. Find out more about public engagement with research at the University of Oxford.

As a member of the University’s Gardens, Libraries and Museums (GLAM), the Bodleian Libraries are well placed to work with researchers, both from within Oxford and beyond, to engage audiences with their research and achieve impact through exhibitions, events and more. Previous public engagement initiatives have ranged from the exhibition Volcanoes to an Ethiopian and Eritrean Study day.

More about public engagement with research