Research in history and art history
Internationally recognised research excellence in the fields of social and cultural history
History at Plymouth has an established tradition of internationally recognised research excellence in the fields of social and cultural history – which broadly defined encompasses expertise in early modern religion, gender and sexuality, Victorian and twentieth-century British society, politics, crime and law; modern labour history, popular politics, modern US politics and civil rights – as well as in modern political, maritime, military and diplomatic history, the British Empire and modern China and Japan. We also have research strengths in Heritage, Public History and Oral History, Eighteenth-Century Architectural History, Maritime History, and Archives and Digital Humanities.
History at Plymouth houses Cornerstone Heritage , Plymouth Heritage Praxis, and is the academic home of Histories of the Unexpected (directed by James Daybell and TV presenter, historian and Honorary Research Fellow at Plymouth, Sam Willis).
Research highlights
Research impact
Researchers in History are actively engaged with stakeholders outside the University context, to contribute to meaningful and tangible benefits for people, the environment, and communities.
REF2021 Impact Case Study
Professor James Daybell, New Technologies and changing lives: Histories of the Unexpected.
History research specialisms and associated staff
Early modern
Modern
Maritime history
War and society
Early Modern Europe
Gender history
History of sexuality
Crime and society
History of the book and Renaissance letters
Diplomatic and political history
Global and transnational histories
Modern German history
Early modern Irish and modern Irish history
Early modern British history
Modern British history
Modern Japan
History of the USA and transatlantic cultures
Early modern French history
Material culture and histories of British / transatlantic landscape and building
Cultural and social history
Oral history
Heritage, public history and local history
Modern Chinese history
Art history research specialisms
- The history of collecting and curating.
- Postcolonialism and art history.
- Meta-painting in Western visual culture.
- Political iconography and representations of sexual violence in Medieval and Renaissance Italy.
- The reception of the Renaissance and Renaissance artists from 1750 to the present.
- The history and practice of art historical writing in Europe in the 19th and early 20th centuries.
Our researchers
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Dr Darren Aoki
Associate Professor of World History and Oral History
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Dr Harry Bennett
Associate Professor (Reader) in History
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Dr Sandra Barkhof
Lecturer in History
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Dr Péter Bokody
Associate Professor of Art History
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Professor James Daybell
Associate Dean (Research)
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Dr Claire Fitzpatrick
Lecturer in History
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Dr Jenny Graham
Associate Professor (Reader) in Art History
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Dr James Gregory
Associate Professor of Modern British History
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Dr Louis Halewood
Philip Nicholas Lecturer in Maritime History
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Professor Daniel Maudlin
Professor
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Dr Elaine Murphy
Associate Professor In History
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Dr Simon Topping
Associate Professor
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Dr Jameson Tucker
Lecturer in Early Modern European History 1500-1700
Postgraduate research opportunities
Related articles
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Historian publishes first comprehensive study of American troops in Northern Ireland during World War II
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Historian named as joint winner of prestigious national prize
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Historian receives Research Fellowship from Leverhulme Trust
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Research highlights near-miss which could have changed outcome of D-Day
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Historic castle explored in detailed study of 100 objects
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The changing nature of pandemic propaganda
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Is the role of the public historian more important than ever?
Digital research repository
The School of Society and Culture (SSC) is home to a diverse collection of researchers working in the social sciences, humanities and performing arts. We’re dedicated to advancing knowledge for public benefit, driving meaningful change in our society and enriching communities (be they near us or an ocean away). Visit our digital repository of staff research to watch short videos from academics working across the School’s disciplines: Anthropology, Art History, Computer Music, Creative Writing, Criminology, English, Environmental Cultures, Heritage, History, International Relations, Law, Music, Politics, Sociology, Theatre and Performance.