Organisation name: The National Trust
Organisation’s website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk
Location of placement: Remote, plus site visits by mutual agreement.
Timeframe: Four weeks initially in March/April 2026, with the opportunity to extend by mutual agreement.
To apply: Please send a CV and 300-word statement of interest to training@oocdtp.ac.uk by 9am on 5 January 2026.
Placement Description:
Buckland 75: celebrating 75 years of Buckland Abbey and the National Trust
Buckland Abbey, former Cistercian monastery and home of Francis Drake, is situated on the edge of Dartmoor just outside Plymouth. It opened to the public in 1951. In 2026 we plan to celebrate 75 years of Buckland Abbey being open to the public, its place in the surrounding community and what part it has played in people’s lives.
On this placement you’ll compile and analyse a collection of oral histories, speaking with visitors, volunteers and members of the community to answer the following questions:
- What memories/stories are there of Buckland Abbey’s opening in 1951 and the following years/decades?
- What narrative do these stories tell?
- How has Buckland Abbey’s place in the community developed over the past 75 years?
To help you, we have a list of local contacts who visited or lived at Buckland Abbey in the 1950s and later. You’ll also find information about the opening of the site in 1951 in local archives. You’ll need to be mindful of the potential sensitivities in this research, and to make sure you align yourself with current best practice in working with oral history narrators. However, you don’t necessarily need to have conducted oral histories research before: the National Trust has strong institutional expertise in oral histories and lots of guidance is available to help you go about it ethically, legally and sensitively.
Once you’ve completed your research, there may be opportunities to work with the property team on visitor interpretation that illuminates Buckland Abbey’s meaning and importance, 75 years after its opening.
The student will be supported by a team of appropriate property staff, together with the South West Regional Research Group and wider National Trust Research Team.
Selection criteria:
Essential:
- Demonstrable interest in the heritage sector.
- Demonstrable understanding of best practice in working ethically, legally and sensitively with interview subjects.
- Ability and willingness to travel to the placement site and/or relevant archives. You will be able to apply for travel and accommodation expenses from the OOC DTP
- Excellent level of written English, able to adapt style and tone for different audiences.
- Ability and willingness to respond positively to feedback on work and make appropriate changes.
- Ability to work at pace and meet deadlines consistently.
- Willingness to try something new, adapt quickly to a new organisation and new ways of working, and learn from industry professionals.
Desirable:
- Familiarity with and understanding of the National Trust, its work and organisational aims.
- Prior experience of oral histories research.
- Experience of working in a multi-disciplinary team to enable effective work with curators and other heritage professionals.
- Strong oral presentation skills, able to adapt style and tone for different audiences.
Contact: If you have questions about this opportunity please contact Dr Daisy Gibbs, National Trust Research Officer: daisy.gibbs@nationaltrust.org.uk.
