Five Minutes With… Rosemary Grant

My name is Rosemary Grant and I’ve recently started as the Records Manager at St Catherine’s, overseeing the development and implementation of the Records Management Project here. My role focuses on improving how records and information are managed across the College.

Can you share a recent project you’ve been working on as the Records Manager?
I am really enjoying working on this project at Catz. Through the development of a bespoke framework, I’m supporting the College in better maintaining, storing, and disposing of records and information. Everyone I’ve spoken to seems keen to get started, which has been especially encouraging.

What is the best or most enjoyable part of your job?
I love filing, and my job is filing on a massive scale. I also enjoy having my own project to run.

How did you get started in records management? What drew you to this field?
Having worked as an archaeologist for 16 years and, more recently, as an administrator, I have always been surrounded by records and filing. I have devised a number of filing systems and helped organise departmental records. Whilst on-site, I was often tasked with overseeing records, as well as the storage and transfer of finds and environmental samples.

Have you worked on any projects with particularly exciting/surprising records?
I recently completed my Master’s in History, and my dissertation focused on the development of a council estate in the context of post-war slum clearance and overspill. I used Borough Council meeting minutes, and as dry as these records sound, they were actually really interesting and rather gossipy.

Do you have any tips or a personal system for staying organised that others might find useful?
I really enjoy using pen and paper to make lists, take notes, and for brainstorming. It may seem old-fashioned but there is proven science showing that your brain processes information differently when you write by hand rather than type.

Any Oxford recommendations?
Not anything specific other than try to make the use of your Bod card. Not everyone has the opportunity to visit the colleges and libraries the way University staff do. I try not to take it for granted!

Do you have a favourite way to relax/unwind?
I like to watch TV, usually older stuff, although I have been keeping up with the most recent season of The Traitors. I also crochet and knit, and enjoy going to concerts – most recently, Iron Maiden at the London Stadium. Seventy thousand metalheads in 40-degree heat may not sound relaxing to some, but for me, it was heaven.

If you could instantly become an expert in something, what would it be?
I think being able to play an instrument would be nice. I have friends who play in various trad jazz bands, so something along those lines would be fun.

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If you’d like to spend Five Minutes With… us, contact collegecomms@stcatz.ox.ac.uk to find out more.