Social and Cultural History Group

There is a rich research culture in History at The University of Northampton. This is reflected in the strong publication record of individual members of staff, the growing number of PhD students, and an environment that encourages innovative research. This research feeds directly into our teaching programme, with option modules closely reflecting staff research expertise.

At the Research Assessment Exercise 2008, 85% of the Division's research was recognised as being of international quality, with 40% being 'internationally excellent' or 'world leading'. This confirms the high standard of our research and its impact on the wider history community.

All members of the history staff are research active, with a strong commitment to publishing their work and linking research to teaching activities both within the University and via involvement in community-orientated Public History. We have enjoyed considerable success in winning research grants from bodies such as the Arts and Humanities Research Council, The Wellcome Trust, The Leverhulme Trust and the British Academy.

Academic staff

• Dr Julia Bush
• Dr Matthew Feldman
• Dr Drew Gray
• Dr Matthew McCormack
• Dr Tim Reinke-William 
• Dr Mark Rothery 
• Dr Matthew Seligmann
• Dr Cathy Smith 
• Prof. Jon Stobart

Doctoral students

• Fiona Cosson
• Lucy Bailey 
• Trevor Preston
• Barbara Russell
• Nell Darby 
• George Watley
• Hannah Waugh

Visiting Fellows

• Dr Johanna Ilmakunnas

Research areas and current projects

• Doublespeak: The Rhetoric of the Far-Right since 1945
• Men at Arms: Soldiers and Soldiering, 1750-1815
• The Royal Navy and the German Threat
• Pauper lunacy in nineteenth-century England
• Women, work and social relations in early-modern London
• Summary Justice and Social Relations in Hanoverian England: The Northamptonshire Justices of the Peace, c1740-1810
• Consumption and the country house
• Shops and shopping in eighteenth-century England

Download copies of Social and Cultural History Group research areas and current projects.

Postgraduate research

In addition to our MA in Social and Cultural History, we have a growing number of PhD students. They form an integral part of the History research community and an important aspect of our research strategy. Several are funded by AHRC Collaborative Doctoral Awards, working in partnership with external organisations including Northamptonshire Black History Association and English Heritage. Research topics currently being studied by our PhD students range from the history of mental health institutions, to community, heritage and identity in local communities, to the material culture of the country house. We are able to offer supervision in many areas and historical periods, with particular strength in social and cultural histories of eighteenth and nineteenth-century Britain.

For more information about research in History, please contact Prof. Jon Stobart.

For details about continuing professional development, contract research and Knowledge Exchange.