Many students get stuck when it comes to citing interviews in the Harvard referencing style, but the approach is easier than it seems.
The format is: Name, Initial. (Year) Interview with [your name], Date. For instance, Sam, S. (2025) Interview with the author, 5 May. In your text, you’d simply write (Sam, 2025). That’s the basic citation.
The rest of this guide will cover different cases, like citing personal, published, or online interviews, so you’ll always know exactly how to format them.
Citing Interviews You Conducted
If you’ve interviewed someone for your research, it counts as a personal communication. In Harvard style, an in-text citation usually includes:
- Who you spoke to
- Year of the interview
- The fact it was a personal communication
- The exact day and month
Examples:
- The Vice Chancellor confirmed this during an interview (P Dawkins 2011, personal communication, 11 October).
- Or you could write: During an interview on 11 October 2011, Prof Peter Dawkins said that …
Looking for dissertation help?
Research Prospect to the rescue then!
We have expert writers on our team who are skilled at helping students with dissertations across a variety of disciplines. Guaranteeing 100% satisfaction!
You can also add more details about participants if needed:
- One participant, David, said in an interview (David, Year, personal communication, Date) that the experience was “very challenging” (full transcripts are in Appendix A).
- For emails, it works the same way: An email (L. Singh 2020, personal communication, 24 April) clarified that the project was “still ongoing”.
Tips:
- Always give the person’s surname and initials.
- Make clear it’s a personal communication.
- Include the exact date.
- Reference full transcripts in an appendix if available.
Reference full transcripts in an appendix if available. Personal interviews usually aren’t listed in the reference page, but the in-text citation is crucial to establishing your credibility.
Citing Published Interviews
Published interviews, those you find in newspaper articles, podcasts, or online videos are a bit unique from your traditional interviews.
1. Newspaper Interviews
For newspapers, you usually need:
- Name of the person interviewed
- Year of the interview
- Title of the interview (if there is one)
- Who conducted it
- Newspaper name in italics
- Date of publication and page numbers (if relevant)
- URL and access date if it’s online
Example:
- Reference list:
Dundas, D. (2019). Interview with Zadie Smith on fighting the algorithm, 8 November, p.5. - In-text citation:
Dundas (2019) said: “If you are under 30, and you are able to think for yourself right now, God bless you.”
Tip: Mention the interviewee first, then all details. Include page numbers for print sources. If online, always include the URL.
2. Podcast Interviews
Podcasts are easy to cite if you remember a few details:
- Who made the podcast
- Year it was posted
- Name of the podcast (in italics)
- [Podcast]
- Posting date
- URL and access date
Example:
- Reference list:
O’Brien, J. (2020, September 24). Full Disclosure with James O’Brien. [LBC]. Available at: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/margaret-atwood/id1454408831?i=1000492394615 (Accessed: 18 June 2025). - In-text citation:
O’Brien (2020) discussed Margaret Atwood’s main themes.
Tips: For online sources, provide the hosting platform, the original posting date, and the date on which you accessed the material. If you quote directly, include the timestamp to orient your reader.
3. YouTube or Online Video Interviews
YouTube Videos follow a similar approach:
- Who posted the video
- Year it was posted
- Title of the video (in italics)
- URL and access date
Example:
- Reference list:
The New Yorker. (2018). Malcolm Gladwell explains where his ideas come from. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YLxV5L6IaFA (Accessed: 18 June 2025). - In-text citation:
The video (The New Yorker, 2018) presents Gladwell discussing his research techniques.
Tips: Include the full URL, the channel name, and the date accessed. For longer videos, note the exact timestamp if quoting directly.
Quick Summary
Here’s a table to help you remember the basics:
| Type of Interview | In-Text Example | Reference List Example |
|---|---|---|
| Personal interview | (P Dawkins, 2011, personal communication, 11 October) | Usually not in the reference list |
| Newspaper interview | Dundas (2019) said: “…” | Dundas, D. (2019). Interview with Zadie Smith on fighting the algorithm, 8 Nov |
| Podcast | O’Brien (2020)… | O’Brien, J. (2020, Sept 24). Full Disclosure with James O’Brien. [LBC]. URL |
| YouTube/Video | (The New Yorker, 2018)… | The New Yorker. (2018). Malcolm Gladwell explains where his ideas come from. URL |
Extra Tips
- Give as much information as possible.
- Be consistent in style.
- Make a clear distinction between personal and published interviews.
- Use appendices if you include full transcripts.
- For multiple participants, make clear who said what.
- Avoid formal abbreviations like “pers. comm.” – write “personal communication” instead.
Quick Table for Personal Interviews
| Element | Example |
|---|---|
| Interviewee | P Dawkins |
| Year | 2011 |
| Format | Personal communication |
| Date | 11 October |
| In-text citation | (P Dawkins, 2011, personal communication, 11 October) |
Wrapping Up
Citing interviews properly in the Harvard style is important. It keeps your work honest, clear, and professional. Personal interviews are cited in-text, while published interviews need a full reference list entry. Online sources always require a URL and an access date.
Following these rules ensures that your audience immediately recognises the source, thereby enhancing the credibility of your argument. A well-cited interview signals that you’ve done thorough research and gives your writing a firmer academic foundation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it matters. Citing sources lets others check the original material, which strengthens your overall argument.
No. They usually appear only in-text because others can’t access them.
Treat them like personal interviews: include sender, year, personal communication, and date.
Add full details, including URL and access date. Include interviewer, interviewee, title, and platform.
Yes, supply the in-text citation in conjunction with a full reference list entry that includes the URL and access date.
In instances of multiple interviews with the same individual from the same year, list each access date to avoid confusion. (J. Smith 2020a, personal communication, 3 March; J. Smith 2020b, personal communication, 15 April).
Use the organisation or channel name as the author, e.g., for a news channel’s YouTube video.
