British academic historians are now painfully familiar with the imperative to research our own impact. Our funding is to be dependent, in part, on the measurable impact of our researches in the domain outside the academy. For radical history this raises an interesting potential. Might the drive to narrate impact give us another story?
Histories of the Present
Britain’s Secret Colonial Files
The British government has just revealed the existence of a large cache of extraordinarily sensitive colonial era archives which came to light as a result of a court case by Mau Mau veterans. Martin Plaut tells the story of Britain’s secret colonial files.
History to be Axed at London Metropolitan University
Reactions to news that history and other arts and humanities subjects are to be axed at the London Metropolitan University (formerly the University of North London and Polytechnic of North London), after having been taught there for over 50 years.
The American Civil War: Finally Passing?
The latest issue of The Economist turns it’s laser eye on the legacy of the civil war, as the US prepares to mark the 150th anniversary of the start of what’s described as ‘America’s bloodiest war’.
The AHRC and the ‘Big Society’
Further discussion in the light of the March 2011 Observer story headlined Academic Fury over Order to Study the Big Society, claiming that the Department for Business, Information and Skills had forced the Arts and Humanities Research Council to allocate funds to research on the theme of the ‘Big Society’.
Nuclear Power in Japan: The Longer View
Why did the only country in the world to experience the horrors of nuclear weapons in 1945 end up being the third-largest user of nuclear power by 2011?
International Women’s Day: A Centenary to Celebrate
On its centenary, Jinty Nelson reflects on the genesis and achievements of International Women’s Day – and the ground still to cover.
