Department of History

Our mission is to explore the past. As world-class researchers, we are actively engaged in the generation of new knowledge about human societies across global space, from the era of Greek antiquity to the recent ‘war on terror’. 

As educators, we provide students with orientation, the skills needed to navigate these worlds and regular guidance along the way. We equip students to pioneer their own trails, with confidence. We find out a good deal about ourselves and today’s society through exploration of the past. 

Our research culture is equally supportive. We value the informal exchange of ideas so we can learn from each other. Our research centres also provide a lively forum for academic discussion and interdisciplinary collaboration. 

Their seminar programmes provide our own researchers with opportunities to share their work, and they bring distinguished visiting speakers to our campus. Making our research seminars hybrid events allows us to establish connections between international audiences and local ones.

Our centres include the:

• Parkes Institute for the Study of Jewish/non-Jewish Relations
• Centre for Imperial and Post-Colonial Studies (CIPCS)
• Centre for Medieval and Renaissance Studies (CMRC)
• Southampton Centre for Nineteenth-Century Research (SCNCR)

For example, the Parkes Institute for the Study of Jewish/non-Jewish Relations draws on our academics’ expertise in Jewish history when designing their workshops for colleges, adult learners, interfaith and community groups, and educators.

We also engage a broad demographic of learners locally and regionally. For example, we offer life-long learning programmes of evening study and develop teaching materials for schools.

We engage with regional, national and international museums and galleries through our heritage work, which helps inform the presentation of the past to wide audiences, and our consultancy work with policymakers on teaching about the Holocaust and other difficult pasts springs from our ethical commitment to shaping a better future.

Over the past decade, we have established the annual Stonewall lecture series. This brings cutting-edge researchers to Southampton as a marker of our commitment to deeper understanding of LGBTQ+ histories. 

Through understanding past persecution or tolerance we are better able to contextualise our current understanding of LGBTQ+ identities in a heteronormative world. 

We are also taking efforts to decolonise our curriculum. This means addressing the multi-directional connections and influences between the Europeanised world and the rest of humanity, as well as using inclusive teaching practices. We also make sure our approach and materials are accessible to all of our students.