Not able to record your own session?
If you and your group are interested in arranging a facilitated Zoom recording session, contact nyuad.memory@nyu.edu.
Record Your NYUAD Memories, From Anywhere
The NYUAD Library is facilitating the NYUAD Memory Project, a project to capture community members’ memorable stories as well as significant moments in NYUAD’s history, in an interview format. Modeled after StoryCorps® in the United States, and other community Memory Projects, this grassroots participatory oral history archive will become a core part of the NYUAD University Archives, where it will be preserved and made available for future users and researchers alongside other materials and historical records in the Archives. All NYUAD community members are invited and welcome to participate.
Step 1: Instructions
If you’re interested in organizing a Memory Project session, here are the basic steps:
- Choose a partner or partners.
- Record your interview, using our questions as prompts (PDF).
- Download and name your file.
- Submit your recording.
Please expand the boxes below and read more detailed instructions and guidelines.
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- Find an interview partner or partners (ideally, no more than 3-4 participants)
- Schedule the day and time of the recording session. To ensure enough time for set up and conversation, a 60- to 90-minute window is recommended. If possible, it’s recommended not to schedule the session in between other meetings or appointments.
- Interviews typically run about 40 to 45 minutes.
- Download our list of standard questions and prompts (PDF) to inspire. But, feel free to go off script and prepare your own set of memories.
- Feel free to contact the Memory Project team for a consultation before scheduling your recording at nyuad.memory@nyu.edu.
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Determine whether your session will be a DIY recording, or if you would like the Memory Project team to set up a facilitated remote session through Zoom. Contact the Memory Project team at nyuad.memory@nyu.edu.
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The Basics — for All Recording Options
Whether you decide to record your session using your own video device, audio device, or during a remote conference call session (Zoom, Skype), for any DIY remote session:
- Select a space that is quiet, and ideally, where you won’t be interrupted.
- For video: select a space with good lighting. Natural lighting is best.
- For audio and video: select a space that does not have external noise.
Consider background and lighting when choosing a space. -
Record a Video Session
- Select a space with good lighting and does not have external noise. Natural lighting is best.
- If using a mobile phone make sure the phone is in landscape orientation.
- Hold the camera as close to the participants as possible to make sure the sound is the best quality it can be.
- Do a test recording to check the sound before recording the “real” session. If it’s not clear, move the recorder closer or try to change locations.
For video recording on a mobile phone, position the phone in landscape orientation. -
Record an Audio Session
- Make sure your environment is as quiet as it can be.
- Place the audio recorder on a table between the participants.
- Do a test recording to check the sound. If it’s not clear, move the recorder closer or change location.
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Record a Remote Conference Session
- Make sure you understand the recording mechanism of your platform. For example, in Zoom, the host manages recording, and will be the custodian of the recording file.
- For the best visuals, find a location that has a nice background and good lighting.
- For participants who wear glasses, try to find a space where the computer screen won’t reflect on the lenses.
- Consider using headphones to maximize sound quality
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To Start the Session
- Turn off notifications and alerts, and set your phones to silent. Make sure you won’t be interrupted in your space.
- Hit the record button and confirm that you’re recording!
- Start by following an introductory script to set the stage for the interview. In this introductory statement, please include a statement that explains the relationship between participants (e.g., "we're longtime friends," "we're married"), and a statement that verbally confirms you understand that this interview will be transferred to the NYUAD Library.
“Hello, my name is ______. I’m here with ______. Today is (day, date, year), and we’re conducting this interview at (location). We’re alumni of NYU Abu Dhabi, and we’re recording our memories remotely in celebration of the 10th Anniversary of NYUAD. We understand that after we record our memory interview, we will transfer the recording and ownership to NYUAD Library. Let’s start by talking about each of our backgrounds: where we’re from, what year we graduated from NYUAD, our current titles…”
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- Take turns asking each other questions, using the prompts or your own questions and topics.
- Practice active listening, which is different from a regular conversation. This means being mindful of letting your interview partner(s) finish their story or memory, while you think of possible follow-up questions.
- Allow for silence in between the sharing of stories. Pauses are okay.
- Ask for final thoughts, and add a statement at the end of the recording that indicates the interview is finished. That could be a thank you, or, simply stating, “This concludes our Memory Project interview.”
- Preparation and best practices inspired by the Oral History Association and StoryCorpsⓇ
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Once you have finished your recording, submit it via the form below. Please prepare for the upload to take a bit of time, depending on your internet connection.
The form you complete will act as a legal transfer form, which transfers ownership of your memory recording to the NYUAD Library, where it will be preserved as part of the University Archives, open to researchers and community members to experience and enjoy.
Step 2: Complete the Form, Authorize, and Submit Your Recording
- After you record your interview, complete the form below, beginning first by selecting the number of participants from your session.
- Beginning the form will prompt the rest of the form to appear.
- One person may complete the form and authorize permissions for all participants, but information about each participant is required for documentation and archiving purposes.
- Name your file using the last name of the person completing the form (e.g., Smith.mp4).
- Upload file, click “submit.”