Modern British History Reading Group
The Modern British History Reading Group offers discussions of Modern British History that are outward looking, interact with other perspectives and geographies, and apply new and different approaches to British history. We'll be holding a broad range of sessions that will hopefully appeal to many different researchers, students, and other interested parties, so come along for an informal chat about recent interesting books.
We are based in the History Department but welcome students and staff from any department, from 糖心TV or elsewhere, with an interest in reading Modern British History in a different light. We hold sessions both in person and on Teams and a full programme for the year can be found below. If there are any books you're especially interested in discussing drop us a line and we'll see if we can work it in.
---- 2024/2025 Programme tbc ----
2022/2023 Programme
Thursday 3rd November, 2022, 1-2pm, &
Becky Taylor, (2021), Introduction, pp. 1-28, Ch. 3 'Rivers of Blood: The Ugandan Asians', pp. 149-208, and Ch. 4 'Marketisation and Multiculturalism: Refugees from Vietnam', pp. 209-70.
Discussant: Dr Somak BiswasLink opens in a new window
Thursday 1st December, 2022, 1-2pm, &
John Davis, (2022), Ch. 9 'The London Cabbie and the Rise of the Essex Man', pp. 246-62, and Ch. 16 'Becoming Postindustrial', pp. 407-34.
Discussant: Matthew BlissLink opens in a new window
Thursday 12th January, 2023, 1-2pm, &
Kimberley Mair, (2022), 'Imperatives: A Preface', pp. vii-xx, Ch. 1 'Keeping Watch Over the Population', pp. 43-65, and Ch. 2 'Verminous Houseguests and Good Hosts: Evacuation Stories', pp. 67-108.
Discussant: Dr Andrew BurchellLink opens in a new window
Thursday 2nd February, 2023, 1-2pm, &
Huw Lemmey & Ben Miller, (2022), Introduction, pp. 1-18, and any chapter on a modern figure you like. For context Hannah has also suggested Heather Love, Feeling BackwardLink opens in a new window (2007), Ch. 1 'Emotional Rescue: The Demands of Queer History', pp. 31-52. Please read both texts!
Discussant: Hannah Ayres Link opens in a new window (comments from Hannah about these readings hereLink opens in a new window)
Thursday 9th March, 2023, 12-1pm, &
Ol煤f岷固乵i O. T谩铆w貌, (2022), Ch. 1 'Introduction', pp. 1-13, Ch. 2 'Reconsidering World History', pp. 14-68, and Ch. 6 'The Arc of the Moral Universe', pp. 191-208.
Discussant: Dr Sophie GreenwayLink opens in a new window
Thursday 4th May, 2023, 1-2pm, &
Nadine El-Nenany, (2020), Introduction: 'Britain as the spoils of empire', pp. 1-16, and Ch. 4 'Migrants, refugees and asylum seekers: predictable arrivals', pp. 133-74.
Discussant: Dr Guido van MeersbergenLink opens in a new window
Thursday 1st June, 2023, 1-2pm, &
Theo Williams, Making the Revolution Global: Black Radicalism and the British Socialist Movement Before Decolonisation (2022), chapters tbc.
Discussant: Dr Jack BowmanLink opens in a new window
Convenor: Dr Jack BowmanLink opens in a new window (History)
For any questions, queries, or suggestions, email:
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