Introducing the V&A Research Institute

This two-day conference will showcase active research from librarians, historians and researchers that unearths new understanding of how books moved around Europe after a war that had disrupted and scattered the book stock of an entire continent. We will hear how, from a moment of continental catastrophe, creative and distributive systems were resurrected, rebuilt and created at a vast scale, including case studies of holdings in major research libraries of Norway, Poland, Germany, Canada and the UK. (Image credit: United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, courtesy of National Archives and Records Administration, College Park)

Tatreez is the Arabic word for the elaborate hand embroidery found on Palestinian dress. Renowned for its beauty and complexity, tatreez is characterised by remarkable regional diversity. This display brings together examples of historic Palestinian dress from the V&A collection — representing the regions of Ramallah, Bethlehem and the Southern Coast — alongside contemporary embroidered work by fashion designer Zeid Hijazi and artist Aya Haidar.

The V&A and Bunnett-Muir Musical Theatre Archive Trust (BMT) are delighted to announce the first cohort of Musical Theatre Fellows and Grant Recipients. Generously funded by the Bunnett-Muir Musical Theatre Archive Trust, the fellowships and grants provide the opportunity to undertake research in the field of the musical on stage and screen with the Bunnett-Muir Musical Theatre Archive and the V&A’s Theatre and Performance Collections.

Simona Valeriani’s book tells the fascinating story of how The Royal Albert Hall, one of the most iconic buildings of the Victorian era, came into being. Bringing material and archival evidence to life, it gives voice to its makers: from artisans and engineers to royalty and policy makers. The Royal Albert Hall reveals itself as a gateway to a new understanding of the political, artistic and scientific aspirations of a generation whose legacy still shapes today’s social and cultural landscape.

The V&A Research Journal is now available again – and we plan new issues in the forthcoming months

‘Unearthed’ is a poetry film by Amina Jama. It responds to the V&A’s archive showcasing stereotypical depictions of people of colour throughout time.