In this blog piece new Bibliography of British and Irish History (BBIH) section editor for Ireland since 1800, Dr Deborah Wilson, shares her use of BBIH when working with students and researchers at Queen’s University Belfast.
I am delighted to introduce myself as the new editor for the Ireland since 1800 section of the Bibliography of British and Irish History (BBIH). My professional background is in academic librarianship, and I am currently the Subject Librarian for the Schools of History, Anthropology, Philosophy and Politics (HAPP), and Law at Queen’s University Belfast.
My longstanding engagement with BBIH—both as a user and as a trainer—made the opportunity to contribute editorially especially appealing. At Queen’s, I regularly introduce students to BBIH as part of their research training. One of the most rewarding aspects of my role is supporting students at every stage of their academic journey: from first-year undergraduates learning to navigate beyond reading lists, to doctoral candidates conducting advanced literature reviews. My goal is to demystify the research process and empower students to find high-quality, reliable information with confidence.
In this context, I place great value on resources that are usable, trustworthy, and transparent in their structure. BBIH exemplifies these qualities. It is not only a comprehensive index of historical scholarship covering the British Isles, the British Empire, and the Commonwealth, but also a model of editorial rigour. Each record is reviewed by subject specialists who ensure accuracy in bibliographic details, subject tagging, and keyword indexing—making the database both browsable and searchable with precision.
Students today are increasingly aware of the importance of content quality, even if they are still learning how to assess it. From the outset, I encourage them to consider the platforms they use and to understand the markers of peer-reviewed, scholarly material. BBIH stands out in this regard: its homepage clearly outlines its editorial processes and scope, offering transparency that is invaluable to new users.
Another reason that I wished to take on the editorial role at BBIH was an excuse to find out more about aspects of the database that I do not currently use. One of these areas is the online reading lists of recently published works. I think this could be very useful for researchers and teaching staff alike, so I look forward to exploring more!
For those who fondly remember the serendipity of discovering unexpected treasures in library stacks, BBIH offers a digital parallel. Its structured browsing features—by subject, place, person, or historical period—allow researchers to explore beyond their initial queries and uncover material they might not have otherwise encountered. This blend of expansive coverage and navigational clarity makes BBIH an indispensable tool for historical research.
I particularly recommend BBIH to those embarking on new research projects. It provides a reliable overview of current scholarship and helps researchers stay abreast of developments in their field. Many postgraduate students have shared with me their anxiety about overlooking key sources during literature reviews or viva preparation. Tools like BBIH help mitigate that concern by offering a robust, curated foundation for scholarly inquiry.
I look forward to contributing to the continued development of BBIH and to supporting researchers in discovering the rich and diverse scholarship it makes accessible.
