Historical Research

The Great War Youtube Project

Since 2019, I have worked as a freelance researcher for RealTimeHistory GmbH and their flasghip The Great War Youtube series. The project aims to release regular documentaries on events and issues which occurred exactly one hundred years ago. Originally, the project coincided with the centenary of the start of the First World War, however it has since continued into the post-war period. It now has over 1.3 million subscribers, and it is fair to say it is commonly seen as one of the best history Youtube channels there is.

I worked with the team in a minor capacity on their crowdfunded 16 Days in Berlin project. Following this they asked me to become the main researcher for the Great War working closely with the host Jesse Alexander.

A typical episode works like this. I receive a short ‘hook’ from the team regarding the event and subject we are going to cover. Some of these are familiar to me, others less so. Usually I have around 14 to 20 days to produce a script, and the vast majority of this time is spent researching. The Great War prides itself on delivering academic level history to a general audience, and great care is taken to try and create the most objective and accurate documentaries we can.

As such as research takes to to primary and secondary sources, as well as journal and online articles. Once all my research is compiled, I produce a script - usually around 3,300 words long - and submit this the to host, who then edits and presents it. The vast bulk of my research and script usually make it into the final product. Seeing an episode come together from a broad idea, via my research, is something I am particularly broad of. Viewer feedback is often enthusiastic.