Contemporary British History

Anna
Contemporary British History MA
I chose to study at King’s for my MA because it’s a world center for academic research and because the Institute of Contemporary British History is based here. As a result, there is a strong community of academics with varying specialties with whom to work with. The opportunity to attend talks and seminars from well renowned historians in my area of study, such as Pat Thane, the course convener, as well as newer academics undertaking exciting research has been fantastic and I have loved making connections with other academics.

The course in Contemporary British History is brilliant as it gives its students the chance to get to grips with the history of Britain in the twentieth century as a whole, in its political, social and economic context, as well as specialist studies based on your own interests. My own research is going to look at race relations and multiculturalism in Britain by exploring the experience of mixed race marriages in Britain in the 1940s and 50s.

Through the MA, I have been able to work with the innovative History and Policy project, also based at King’s, which connects historians with policy makers. This included an expert workshop day involving such people as Anthony Seldon and Lord Chilcott. This was a hugely enjoyable experience, and was particularly relevant to me as I hope to go into the Civil Service once I have finished my MA.

Pat Thane
Contemporary British History MA
We are very to be offering our excellent MA in Contemporary British History to King’s students. I publish widely in the areas of social and economic history, Labour party history, women’s history and demographic history – for example, I’ve just edited a collection of essays on Unequal Britain: Equalities in Britain since 1945. Central London is a wonderful location in which to study contemporary history, with access to archives, libraries and the institutions which shape the modern world. As a co-manager of History & Policy (www.historyandpolicy.org) I contribute to events and briefings for politicians, civil servants and journalists as well as academics, and encourage students to consider how their work might contribute in a policy context.



My current work includes completing a book with Dr Tanya Evans on unmarried motherhood in twentieth century Britain, arising from an ESRC-funded project. With my colleagues, including Professor Richard Roberts and Dr Michael Kandiah, we offer outstanding teaching for the MA covering the political, social, economic, financial and diplomatic history of Britain in the twentieth century.