The Negotiated Texts Network

The Negotiated Texts Network led by the Quill Project, was established in March 2017 as result of funding from the Oxford Research Centre in the Humanities (TORCH). Over the past year, we have successfully built a network of academics from a range of disciplines, united in an interest in formally negotiated documents.  Because the subject matter of these documents is so different, it was not obvious before the network that there would be so much benefit in considering common approaches to this material. However, the diversity of this network has helped us to better understand how to develop digital tools and ways of working that can benefit a range of disciplines and audiences, and has provided us with a network of experts with which to consult. As well as the academic network within the UK, an informal network has evolved, incorporating scholars at several institutions in the United States. We have also received interest in our events from practitioners working in international bodies.

We run one or two workshops each academic year to discuss common areas of interest. Members of the network receive our newsletter each term, and are also invited to contribute ‘think pieces’ to share with the wider network through the newsletter.

PAST Events

Presenting the Records of Historical Decision-Making
27 February 2019 - Pembroke College, University of Oxford

Using Digital Tools to Understand Policy Making
11 June 2018 - Kings College London

Article 32 of the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties and Some Problems of Treaty Interpretation
28 February 2018 - Pembroke College, University of Oxford

Making Sense of Negotiated Texts at Scale
30 November 2017 - Department of Politics and International Relations, University of Oxford 

Key Achievements

We have both expanded our network beyond the UK, while also encouraging a coming together of scholars with common interests within Oxford University.

We have refined and developed our understanding of the problems posed by negotiated texts for researchers.

We have promoted an understanding of the existing tools for the exploration of this kind of material and have investigated new ways to extend and integrate those tools, with an emphasis on presenting this category of material to a non-expert audience.