Centre for Historical Research

The Centre for Historical Research brings together scholars active in researching a wide variety of subjects, including class, gender, society, war, terrorism and retailing. In addition to the study of Britain and Ireland, colleagues also specialise in German and American history.

We enjoy a thriving research culture, with a community of PhD research students, many and varied publications, and an active programme of internal and external events.

Our projects have been funded by the AHRC, ESRC, Leverhulme, Marie Curie programmes as well as many others, whilst our researchers are part of international scholarly networks across Europe, North America, Australasia and Asia.

Our Impact

The Centre submitted two impact case studies to REF2021.  The first, ‘Using History to Transform the Education Curriculum of the General Federation of Trade Unions (GFTU)’, was underpinned by historical research which has now reached all 200,000 union members across 25 organisations, enhancing both their personal development and career progression. The second, ‘Military History in Public Commemoration and Professional Military Education’, examined the development of Armed Forces using historical case studies to analyse and explain military performance and effectiveness, including: command and leadership, performance and participation, and technological development - playing a role in shaping the UK commemorative agenda during the First World War Centenary with considerable impact on public understanding of that conflict.