The History Department has received a grant from the College Teaching Fund for the pilot project ‘History and Policy in Practice’, conducted in collaboration with the Institute of Contemporary British History (ICBH) and History & Policy. During the academic year 2012-13, the project will invite postgraduate students to explore how historical research can inform contemporary policy. ‘History and Policy in Practice’ offers expert workshops led by experienced professionals in public policy and the media, and practical training led by the History & Policy Public Affairs team. Students participating in the workshop and training session will learn how to:

•  maximise the opportunities and overcome the challenges of connecting history with current policy

•  prepare for a career in public life, and the reality of working in politics, public policy  and the media

•  produce concise, policy-relevant written work, designed for web publication and communication to policy and media audiences.

Each participating student will be required to prepare an 'Action Plan' for policy influence on a chosen policy issue. Outstanding student work will be published on the H&P website  and the History Department will award the best Action Plan  a prize. .

The pilot project also serves to explore and evaluate new forms of training and assessment for integration into existing UG or PG modules. Results of the workshops and training sessions will be communicated to teaching staff. The project will thus serve as a starting point to develop collaborative teaching across departments which emphasizes practical skills and career development.

Dates for workshops and training sessions will be announced in September. For further questions please contact Dr Anna Maerker at anna.maerker@kcl.ac.uk.