We are an interdisciplinary group of historians committed to an engaged approach to the global past.

 

In the 2021 REF exercise 100% of our research was classified as 4* and 3* for Research Environment. We had a 24% increase in 4* research across our outputs, impact, and environment since the last REF. We place particular emphasis on addressing historical injustices through our work on the Holocaust; medical racism; slavery; and colonial and postcolonial violence. From the far right to climate change, health care, religious intolerance and knife crime, we pride ourselves on using historical research to inform key contemporary debates.

 

Our research centres and research clusters have supported exciting collaborations, successful funding bids, and postgraduate studentships. We have particular strengths in medieval and early modern history, histories of slavery, medicine, and women and gender, animal and environmental histories, transnational histories, urban history, histories of religion and archival studies. Our research also contributes to the University’s major research priorities, including through the Centre for Health, Medical and Environmental Humanities and our work on the Heritage and Slavery and Unfree Labour research themes.

 

We have a strong commitment to the development of postgraduates and postdoctoral researchers, who play an important role in our research community.

 

Research projects

Our historians research diverse topics, ranging from gender and socialism to the history of the relationship between dogs and humans. Explore their research projects.

 

Research centres and clusters

Our research centres and clusters span interdisciplinary areas across the University, from medieval and renaissance studies to contemporary issues like slavery and health.

 

Our expertise

Find out about our experts, and find a supervisor or mentor based on your research interests.

 

Public engagement and impact

Our research has a wide-reaching impact beyond academia, contributing to public debates, government policies, and cultural projects.

 

Facilities

Our facilities include over 1.9 million books, specialized journal collections, and a growing digital archive.

 

PhD research

Our PhD students receive top-tier training, benefit from competitive scholarships, and have earned international recognition.

 

Postdocs and fellows

The department is eager to support postdocs. Find out about the fellowships we offer.

 

Research blogs

Our blogs bring out the stories behind our research.

 

PhD students

View our current PhD student profiles, including their biography and areas of research interest.