Amplifying Voices: The Impact of Oral History on Social Housing Research
Aaron Sheridan PHD student University of Strathclyde
As a fourth-year PhD student at the University of Strathclyde, my research journey has taken me into the lives and homes of council tenants, where I explore the transition from inner-city slum housing to more structured council housing. Working with Places for People, I have had the privilege to conduct oral history interviews that reveal not just the facts of housing changes but the emotional landscapes that come with them.
My focus has been on areas like Jamaica Street, Wester Hailes, and Niddrie in Edinburgh, where I’ve spoken with many tenants who have navigated these significant shifts in their living conditions. These narratives are not just histories; they are deeply personal stories filled with rich detail about technology, community, and the challenges of urban planning decisions that affected their lives.
One poignant aspect of my research is the way residents reflect on their experiences of moving. Many tenants expressed a shared concern about the loss of community that accompanied their transition to council housing. As new neighborhoods were developed, the necessity of owning a car became a prominent topic of discussion. Urban planning decisions often overlooked the importance of a connected community, which led to feelings of isolation among residents.
Through oral history, I accessed layers of emotional information that numbers and statistics simply cannot convey. Tenants spoke about their experiences with raw honesty—describing their feelings of shame when receiving official notifications, like the dreaded brown envelope that indicated they were in need of assistance. Their narratives also included reflections on choices, like bathroom provisions, that highlighted the complexity of their living situations.
One striking insight from my interviews in Wester Hailes is the profound sense of resilience and mutual trust that existed among residents, despite the area's reputation as impoverished. Many spoke of the strong character of their communities, emphasizing that these neighborhoods were shaped by the people living there. The pride and connection they felt were evident, underscoring the idea that a sense of community can flourish even amid economic hardship.
This rich, qualitative data leads me to a crucial conclusion: the voices of tenants must be amplified and integrated into the discussions surrounding the planning and shaping of their neighborhoods. They are the true experts of their lived experiences and have valuable insights about what works and what doesn’t in their communities.
When my research data and the personal anecdotes shared by tenants diverge, it signals a deeper issue with the data being collected. This reinforces the importance of using my findings respectfully, giving credence to the lived experiences that often get overshadowed by quantitative analysis.
As I move forward in my research, I remain committed to ensuring that these narratives are not just heard but prioritized in the shaping of policies that affect council housing. By valuing the subjective experiences of residents, we can create more inclusive and supportive communities that truly reflect the needs and desires of their inhabitants.
In conclusion, oral history serves as a powerful tool in social research, offering rich, emotional insights that can guide us in fostering a deeper understanding of community dynamics. It is through these poignant stories that we can ensure a more empathetic approach to urban development, one that holds the voices of tenants at its centre.