This collection contains the material created as part of the EMBL Archive Oral Histories Programme, which started in 2016.

This in an interview with Rosemary Wilson who was responsible for scientific training and later became the outreach officer at the EMBL Hamburg. In this interview, Wilson describes how she was able do define her role in the field of scientific communication. She explains the evolution of editorial processes at EMBL as she perceived them and gives some examples as well. Wilson also makes an assessment of the dynamics of communication in terms of the different EMBL sites and describes the "Night of Science" in Hamburg she helped to organize.

In this interview, John Tooze who was the Executive Secretary of EMBO from 1973 until 1994 reflects his work as a scientific coordinator at that time. He especially describes his perception of the foundation process of EMBL, the emergence of its institutional design and his introduction of the EMBO journal. Furthermore, he gives an assessment of the general challenges EMBL had and has to face.

In this interview, Emerald Perlas who started working at EMBL Rome in 1999 reflects his work as a histologist in Monterotondo, especially his recruitment process and the working environment.

This is an interview with Nelly van der Jagt who worked as a secretary for EMBL from 1975 until 2014. In this interview, Nelly van der Jagt especially reflects her work with four different Directors General as well as changes concerning the general working conditions of the EMBL site in Heidelberg.

This is an interview with Mary Holmes who was the Librarian of EMBL Heidelberg from 1974 to 1998. In this interview, Mary Holmes describes how she became EMBL's first Librarian and the work she had to do in the first years of EMBL. Mary Holmes also talks about how she perceived the transformation of libraries in general and of EMBL's Szilárd Library in particular during the period she worked in this position, in particular with regard to computerisation. Furthermore, she talks about her impression of EMBL's first three DGs.

This is an interview with the Head of the Mechanical Workshop Leo Burger who started working at EMBL Heidelberg in 1978. In this interview, Leo Burger describes his application process and how he was introduced to EMBL. He also explains some of the most important instruments that were developed in the Mechanical Workshop. Furthermore, Leo Burger talks about the social life at EMBL, but also about his contribution to founding EMBL etcetera and to designing the EMBL emblem. Apart from that, Leo Burger describes his work as a driver that he also did at EMBL for a certain time.

This is an interview with 2019 Lennart Philipson Award winner Patrick Baeuerle who was a PhD-student at EMBL in Wieland Huttner's group from 1987 to 1988. In this interview, Patrick Baeuerle gives an insight into his research interests, especially his research concerning NF-kappa-B. He describes his later work in industry, his way into biotech companies and especially his foundation of MPM Capital. He also reflects the relationship between research and industry in this interview.

This is an interview with the 2019 John Kendrew Award winner Tanmay Bharat who was a PhD student at EMBL Heidelberg from 2008 until 2012. In this interview, Tanmay Bharat describes how he started working on pathogenic viruses in John Brigg's group. He also explains why he started working on bacterial antibodies using cryo-electron tomography. Furthermore, he reflects the upcoming of personalised medicine nowadays in this interview.

This is an interview with Eero Vuorio who has been a council delegate and Chairman of the EMBL council. In this interview, Eero Vuorio describes his career from working on molecular cloning of RNA and DNA to administration. He gives an insight of the work of the EMBL council, especially in terms of raising financial resources and in terms of the procedure of electing a new DG for EMBL. Furthermore, Eero Vuorio analyses the development of the administration of EMBL, also in connection to the different EMBL sites.