The Polish Oral History Association (Polskie Towarzystwo Historii Mówionej, PTHM) was born out of the need to provide a formal framework for the developing and diverse activity of Polish humanities scholars engaged in oral history. It was established in January 2009 in Kraków, and it brings together historians and researchers from many other humanities disciplines from all over Poland who are professionally involved in oral history. It represents the Polish community on the international arena.

Members of PTHM include employees of recognized and respected research and cultural centres such as: the “Karta” Centre and History Meeting House in Warsaw, The “Remembrance and Future” Centre / The Depot History Centre in Wrocław, Białystok Cultural Centre / The Ludwik Zamenhoff Centre or the Grodzka Gate-NN Theatre in Lublin. Researchers from Polish universities, PhD students, members of associations and people who have been independently conducting research and educational projects using the method and sources of oral history are strongly represented. From 2020, our partner is the Centre of Community Archives.

PTHM aims to improve the methodological and ethical standards of oral history as a field of academic study, culture and social activity. Therefore, we consider it important to disseminate these standards and improve the skills of people and institutions responsible for collecting and archiving audio and audio-visual records and other materials in the field of oral history or related fields. We believe in the sense of developing an interest in oral history, recent history, culture and local history in society. For us, this is one of the key forms of shaping a critical attitude towards history. We also place emphasis on the benefits that oral history can bring to both historical research and historical education.