Research and Teaching
Research and Teaching is at the core of Special Collections and we are here to help you.
Unique Collections
Our original source materials are extraordinary. Together they record evidence, tell stories, challenge assumptions, create conversations, offer new perspectives, and stimulate avenues of enquiry and knowledge creation. The varied content records lived experiences, offering researchers unique historical insights and new connections not found elsewhere.Curatorial Services
Our specialist staff are ready to work with you and can suggest research topics and sources, supply images, support class delivery and assessments, curate displays, online exhibitions and subject guides. Access a diversity of historic collections, to inspire and achieve your Research and Teaching goals.Teaching with Collections
Special Collections actively supports UNSW academics who wish to incorporate primary source learning experiences in their classes. We provide curatorial advice on relevant material and can assist with class planning and delivery. Use our Teaching with Collections form to find out how we can help you.
Be Inspired
- Consult our Research Guides for curated lists of manuscripts, rare books and associated primary sources relating to your topic
- Discover additional sources such as Rare Books, Digital Collections, and UNSW Theses via the More Resources links below
- Browse our Gallery to sample Collection Highlights and view Online Exhibitions
- Contact Us to find out more
Research Guides
Browse our library of Research Guides to inspire and inform your next research area, teaching program or thesis.
Air Power
Discover manuscript and rare book sources relating to air power and aviation history, from the early days of flight and the development and deployment of aircraft in military settings...
Australian Army History
Discover unique primary sources documenting events and the personal experiences of Australian Army personnel, across a range of theatres of conflict, including oral histories, diaries, archival collections, and annotated trench maps...
Australian Literature
Discover manuscript, rare book and audiovisual sources relating to Australian literature, including poetry, fiction, drama and non-fiction writing...
Australian Performance Arts
Discover manuscript, rare book and audiovisual sources relating to Australian performance arts, including performance poetry, music, and stage, television and film productions...
Australian Women Writers
Discover the names of the many Australian women writers whose archives are available in Special Collections, including literary figures Dame Mary Gilmore, Dorothy Porter, Gwen Harwood, Alma De Groen, Kate Llewellyn, Lily Brett, Gabrielle Carey, Nancy Cato, Dorothy Hewett and others...
Cold War
Discover manuscript and rare book sources relating to the Cold War, including material illustrating the role of technology in this period of geopolitical tension...
Contemporary Australian Politics
Discover manuscript and objects relating to contemporary Australian politics from 1996 to the present day...
Engineering & Military Technology
Discover manuscript and rare book sources relating to engineering and technological innovation, including military applications...
Equity, Diversity, Inclusion
Discover manuscript, oral history & rare book sources relating to equity, gender studies, human rights, immigration, LGBTQIA+, multiculturalism, poverty and homelessness and other social issues...
First Nations & Indigenous Peoples
Discover manuscript and rare book sources relating to First Nations and Indigenous heritage and history...
Intelligence & Espionage
Discover Collections manuscript and rare book sources relating to intelligence and espionage, and associated topics such as military surveillance and technology, signals, intercepts, ciphers, codes and encryption...
D.H. Lawrence Collection
Discover an outstanding research collection of rare early D.H. Lawrence published editions, together with a selection of unique archival sources relating to the writer and his novel ‘Kangaroo’, written whilst Lawrence lived in Thirroul, NSW in 1922…
Leadership & Organisation
Discover a range of Special Collections sources covering the theme of Leadership and Military Organisation. These include the personal archives of Australian military leaders, oral histories of military commanders and personnel, and rare books and manuals documenting organisation in the field and behind the lines...
Napoleonic Wars
Discover manuscript and rare book sources relating to the Napoleonic War period, including Napoleon Bonaparte and the Duke of Wellington, together works documenting the period's historical and literary context...
Naval Architecture
Discover manuscript and rare book sources relating to naval architecture, shipbuilding and marine engineering...
Origins of Modern Warfare
Discover manuscript and rare book sources relating to the origins of modern warfare, from ancient history to the 21st century, including strategy, weaponry, fortification, training, maps, historical campaigns and military figures...
RAAF & Military Aviation History
Discover manuscript and rare book sources relating to the Royal Australian Air Force and aviation history more generally...
Royal Australian Navy History
Discover significant maritime collections which record aspects of the Royal Australian Navy history and experience, including oral histories, manuscripts and rare books...
Russian History
Discover manuscript and rare book sources relating to Russian history, from the 16th century onwards, including military campaigns, imperialism, communism and culture...
Ships Logs & Naval Journals
Discover Special Collections unique collection of historic ships logs and naval journals, covering the period 1786-1905...
Christina Stead Collection
Discover multiple editions of Christina Stead's published works, including signed and inscribed copies given to biographer Ron Geering from Stead's personal library, together with literary journals and critical editions...
Strategic Studies
Discover manuscript and rare book sources relating to strategic, political, diplomatic and military history...
Sustainable Development
Discover a diversity of collections covering the broad theme of Sustainable Development. Topics include the environment, economic development, global resources, societal well-being, minorities, peacekeeping and the United Nations...
World War 1 Diaries
Discover Special Collections digitised World War I Diaries and read firsthand experiences of Australian soldiers who served at Gallipoli, and on the battlefields on the Western Front...
World War II
Discover manuscript, oral history and rare book sources relating to events and personal experiences of the Second World War, including conflict in the Southwest Pacific and the Siege of Tobruk...
More Resources
Search additional pathways to discover material relating to your area of interest
Search over 15,000 rare books and historic journals from the late 15th century onwards, including splendid 18th-19th century volumes, 20th century first editions, rare military manuals, tactical pamphlets, and trench maps
Browse a selection of our digital rare books
Search UNSWorks to discover full text versions of over 3,000 UNSW Canberra Theses and research outputs since 1985