You will conduct oral histories with NYC youth workers about their experiences during times of protest and pandemic. These testimonies will be housed in a publicly accessible archive so that the world can better understand the obstacles encountered, triumphs experienced, and solidarities developed in the youth serving institutions of NYC.

Going Over the Consent Form

• • Access the Consent Form Here
  • With your interviewee read over the consent form and explain that the interview will be recorded, used in publications and made available to the public unless restrictions are placed on it.
    • Remind them they have options on how to donate.

Recording the Interview

• • Figure out which application you will be using to record the interview.
    • You can record a video zoom call, which will be converted into an audio file.
    • If you are interviewing someone over the phone, you will either need to use two phones (one to record and the other to make the call on speaker phone)
    • Download an application that allows you to record calls.
  • Practice recording before the interview.
  • While the interview is going on periodically make sure the equipment is working.

Arranging a Meeting

• • Verify time/date/location of oral history interview with your interviewee.
  • Try to avoid loud places when recording

Beginning the Interview

• • If the interview is over the phone, make sure they know you are recording the interview.
  • Emphasize that they do not have to answer any questions they are uncomfortable answering.

During the Interview

• • Make sure not to use people’s names or places of work during the interview to make sure they can submit their interviews anonymously.
  • Try not to be judgmental of your interviewee’s responses. Remember you are gathering their testimony.
  • During the interview try not to give positive or negative feedback that could influence their testimony.
  • Be casual. Talk to them as you normally talk to keep the interview comfortable.

Being an Active Listener

• • Give cues that you are listening.
  • Remember to ask follow-up questions.
    • If their feels like there is more to what they are saying, ask them to share more.
    • Avoid yes and no questions.
  • Take notes on things you find interesting or important.
    • This helps you formulate follow-up questions without interrupting the thought of the interviewees.
    • This also allows you to identify quotes for the Data Collection Google Sheet.
  • At the end ask your interviewee if there is anything you should have asked but did not ask.

After the Interview

• • Ask the interviewee if they would share a picture of themselves or something discussed in the interview for the archive.
  • Offer to send the interviewee a copy of the transcript and/or recording.

Submitting the Interview (STAY TUNED)

Analyzing the Interview

• • As soon as possible following the interview — so it’s still fresh in your mind — note the questions you haven’t already marked as worth highlighting.
  • On the Interview Entry Google Sheet fill out the basic information
  • Once you have access to the transcript plug quotes you find significant into the Data Collection Google Sheet. With your team you will have to paste the quotes in the spots that make the most sense.

NOTE: It is totally acceptable—and in some instances encouraged—to record this oral history in another language.