Voices from the Archive: Lust, Legislation, Lunacy

Voices from the Archive: Lust, Legislation, Lunacy is a research-based podcast developed by Dr. Elga Skrastins as part of her doctoral study at the University of Tasmania. Drawing upon more than 20,000 words extracted from archival welfare records, legal documents, parliamentary debates, newspapers, medical reports, and state correspondence, the podcast employs a performative and verbatim approach to examine historical responses to the perceived problem of female promiscuity in Tasmania during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Through a multi-voice dramatic script performed by university staff and research students, the work reveals how young working-class women, particularly pregnant wards of the state, were labelled as morally deficient or mentally disordered and subjected to institutional confinement and discriminatory interventions. Grounded in qualitative case study methodology and informed by scholarship on performance as research dissemination, the podcast seeks to extend the reach of academic findings beyond traditional audiences while preserving the authenticity of historical voices. By presenting archival testimonies in an accessible audio format, the piece encourages listeners to critically reflect on the enduring influence of patriarchal legislation, class prejudice, and gendered social control. Ethical considerations were addressed through the exclusive use of publicly available records relating to deceased individuals and the involvement of non-professional volunteer performers to minimise sensationalism. The podcast demonstrates the potential of creative research methods to foster public engagement, bear witness to historical injustice, and illuminate the continuing relevance of past institutional practices in contemporary discussions surrounding women's autonomy and social regulation.