How It Works
From first contact to preserved story — here's what to expect when you participate in the AAPI Voice Archive.
For Participants
Sharing your story is a collaborative process. You're in control at every step.
Create an Account
Sign in or create an account in our Contributor Studio. From there, you can start a recording directly or upload an existing one. No email back-and-forth required — you're in control from the start.
Schedule & Prepare
We'll find a time that works for you — in person, by phone, or video call. Before the interview, we'll share some prompts and explain the consent process so you know exactly what to expect.
Consent
Before recording, you'll review and sign a consent form that explains your rights. You choose who can access your story: public, researchers only, or family only. You can change this anytime.
Learn about our ethics principles →The Interview
A trained interviewer guides the conversation — or you can record on your own with our prompts. Interviews typically last 30-60 minutes. There's no script; your story unfolds naturally.
Review & Redact
After transcription, you can review your story. Want to remove a name, clarify something, or redact a sensitive section? Just let us know. Nothing is published without your approval.
Preservation & Access
Your approved story is preserved in the archive with the access level you chose. You can update your preferences or withdraw your story at any time — no questions asked.
For Interviewers
Help preserve community memory by becoming a trained oral history interviewer.
Apply
Tell us about yourself and why you're interested. No prior experience required — just a genuine interest in listening to and preserving stories.
Training
Complete our training covering oral history ethics, consent procedures, interview techniques, and technical setup. Training is self-paced and takes about 2-3 hours total.
Preview training resources →Practice
Conduct a practice interview (often with a friend or family member) and get feedback from our team before you're certified.
Conduct Interviews
Interview people in your own community or network. We provide prompts, consent forms, and ongoing support. Interview as many or as few people as you'd like.
View the interviewer field guide →Submit & Support
Securely transfer recordings to the archive. We handle transcription, participant review, and publication. You stay connected with participants if they have questions.
Your Rights Throughout
For Participants
- ✓Pause or stop the interview at any time
- ✓Review and edit your transcript before publication
- ✓Redact names, places, or sensitive details
- ✓Choose who can access your story
- ✓Withdraw your story at any time, no questions asked
For Interviewers
- ✓Free training and ongoing support
- ✓Flexible commitment — no minimum interviews
- ✓Work within your own community and schedule
- ✓Access to all resources and templates
- ✓Step back anytime — we understand life happens
Questions?
Not sure which path is right for you? Have questions about the process? We're happy to chat.