Dr Lisa Berry-Waite
@lisaberrywaite.bsky.social
Historian of women & politics, Modern Parliament Records Specialist at The National Archives, blog editor for the Women’s History Network, and BBC HistoryExtra’s ‘30 under 30’. Views my own
lisaberrywaite.com
lisaberrywaite.com
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New year, new job! 💫 Thrilled to share that I’ve started a new role at The National Archives as a Modern Parliament Records Specialist.
I’ll be working with Parliament’s archive collections that have been relocated to TNA. Looking forward to engaging audiences with this fascinating collection!
I’ll be working with Parliament’s archive collections that have been relocated to TNA. Looking forward to engaging audiences with this fascinating collection!
Reposted by Dr Lisa Berry-Waite
Following the news of another political defection in Westminster, we're resharing our recent #HistParl article on the history of MPs 'crossing the floor' and changing their party affiliation, drawing heavily upon extracts from our #OralHistory archive.
historyofparliament.com/2026/01/16/c...
historyofparliament.com/2026/01/16/c...
Crossing the Floor: Tales from the Oral History Project - The History of Parliament
Political defections, commonly known in Westminster parlance as ‘Crossing the Floor’, have been a phenomenon in Parliament since at least the 17th century.
historyofparliament.com
January 26, 2026 at 12:49 PM
Following the news of another political defection in Westminster, we're resharing our recent #HistParl article on the history of MPs 'crossing the floor' and changing their party affiliation, drawing heavily upon extracts from our #OralHistory archive.
historyofparliament.com/2026/01/16/c...
historyofparliament.com/2026/01/16/c...
This was such an interesting blog post to see through to publication on the @womenshistnet.bsky.social’s blog.
Great to work with @harveybonehist.bsky.social and @txbatha.bsky.social, and learn about their fascinating research - do give their blog post a read!
Great to work with @harveybonehist.bsky.social and @txbatha.bsky.social, and learn about their fascinating research - do give their blog post a read!
New on the blog!
@harveybonehist.bsky.social and @txbatha.bsky.social share their fascinating research on the 1959 and 1974 General Elections, exploring the use of 'spousal letters' in candidate's #election pamphlets.
#womenshistory #politicalhistory
womenshistorynetwork.org/a-word-to-th...
@harveybonehist.bsky.social and @txbatha.bsky.social share their fascinating research on the 1959 and 1974 General Elections, exploring the use of 'spousal letters' in candidate's #election pamphlets.
#womenshistory #politicalhistory
womenshistorynetwork.org/a-word-to-th...
‘A Word to the Wives’: Spousal Letters and the Politics of Persuasion, 1959-74 – Harvey Bone and Tabatha Burden
During a seven-week internship at the University of Oxford, undergraduates Harvey Bone and Tabatha Burden worked on a project researching and assessing data from the 1959 and February 1974 election…
womenshistorynetwork.org
January 26, 2026 at 9:37 AM
This was such an interesting blog post to see through to publication on the @womenshistnet.bsky.social’s blog.
Great to work with @harveybonehist.bsky.social and @txbatha.bsky.social, and learn about their fascinating research - do give their blog post a read!
Great to work with @harveybonehist.bsky.social and @txbatha.bsky.social, and learn about their fascinating research - do give their blog post a read!
New year, new job! 💫 Thrilled to share that I’ve started a new role at The National Archives as a Modern Parliament Records Specialist.
I’ll be working with Parliament’s archive collections that have been relocated to TNA. Looking forward to engaging audiences with this fascinating collection!
I’ll be working with Parliament’s archive collections that have been relocated to TNA. Looking forward to engaging audiences with this fascinating collection!
January 26, 2026 at 9:06 AM
New year, new job! 💫 Thrilled to share that I’ve started a new role at The National Archives as a Modern Parliament Records Specialist.
I’ll be working with Parliament’s archive collections that have been relocated to TNA. Looking forward to engaging audiences with this fascinating collection!
I’ll be working with Parliament’s archive collections that have been relocated to TNA. Looking forward to engaging audiences with this fascinating collection!
Reposted by Dr Lisa Berry-Waite
📣 Call for Papers!
Join us for the Women’s History Network Annual Conference, celebrating 100 years of The Women’s Library.
Open to scholars, independent researchers & heritage practitioners.
Full info: womenshistorynetwork.org/whn-annual-c...
Deadline: 29 March 2026
#WomensHistory #GenderHist
Join us for the Women’s History Network Annual Conference, celebrating 100 years of The Women’s Library.
Open to scholars, independent researchers & heritage practitioners.
Full info: womenshistorynetwork.org/whn-annual-c...
Deadline: 29 March 2026
#WomensHistory #GenderHist
January 22, 2026 at 11:07 AM
📣 Call for Papers!
Join us for the Women’s History Network Annual Conference, celebrating 100 years of The Women’s Library.
Open to scholars, independent researchers & heritage practitioners.
Full info: womenshistorynetwork.org/whn-annual-c...
Deadline: 29 March 2026
#WomensHistory #GenderHist
Join us for the Women’s History Network Annual Conference, celebrating 100 years of The Women’s Library.
Open to scholars, independent researchers & heritage practitioners.
Full info: womenshistorynetwork.org/whn-annual-c...
Deadline: 29 March 2026
#WomensHistory #GenderHist
What an incredible two years @ukparliament.parliament.uk! I’ve learnt a lot & worked with so many wonderful people.
From starting in Heritage Collections engaging audiences with a working collection to leading the initial planning for the Equal Franchise centenary, it’s been an amazing experience!
From starting in Heritage Collections engaging audiences with a working collection to leading the initial planning for the Equal Franchise centenary, it’s been an amazing experience!
January 23, 2026 at 8:27 AM
What an incredible two years @ukparliament.parliament.uk! I’ve learnt a lot & worked with so many wonderful people.
From starting in Heritage Collections engaging audiences with a working collection to leading the initial planning for the Equal Franchise centenary, it’s been an amazing experience!
From starting in Heritage Collections engaging audiences with a working collection to leading the initial planning for the Equal Franchise centenary, it’s been an amazing experience!
Reposted by Dr Lisa Berry-Waite
Our programme for this term's @cont-brit-hist.bsky.social seminars at @ihr.bsky.social is now available! Please do join us in-person or online.
www.history.ac.uk/news-events/...
www.history.ac.uk/news-events/...
Contemporary British History
The Contemporary British History seminar seeks to explore all aspects the recent past of the British Isles from a historical point of view.
www.history.ac.uk
January 16, 2026 at 11:14 AM
Our programme for this term's @cont-brit-hist.bsky.social seminars at @ihr.bsky.social is now available! Please do join us in-person or online.
www.history.ac.uk/news-events/...
www.history.ac.uk/news-events/...
Reposted by Dr Lisa Berry-Waite
Parliament is full of red and green, and not just because it’s Christmas. The colours hold special significance for the @houseofcommons.parliament.uk and @houseoflords.parliament.uk
December 19, 2025 at 1:35 PM
Parliament is full of red and green, and not just because it’s Christmas. The colours hold special significance for the @houseofcommons.parliament.uk and @houseoflords.parliament.uk
A brilliant few days attending the 'Visual Representations of Parliamentarism' conference at the German Historical Institute in Paris.
Great to co-present a paper with @sclapperton.bsky.social on 1929 election posters appealing to women voters and be on a panel with @satisfactory20.bsky.social
Great to co-present a paper with @sclapperton.bsky.social on 1929 election posters appealing to women voters and be on a panel with @satisfactory20.bsky.social
December 19, 2025 at 9:16 AM
A brilliant few days attending the 'Visual Representations of Parliamentarism' conference at the German Historical Institute in Paris.
Great to co-present a paper with @sclapperton.bsky.social on 1929 election posters appealing to women voters and be on a panel with @satisfactory20.bsky.social
Great to co-present a paper with @sclapperton.bsky.social on 1929 election posters appealing to women voters and be on a panel with @satisfactory20.bsky.social
A packed room for @histparl.bsky.social’s annual lecture!
A great evening and lecture given by Rt Hon. Nick Thomas-Symonds on ‘Clement Attlee’s Labour Governments of 1945-51: A Reappraisal'.
A great evening and lecture given by Rt Hon. Nick Thomas-Symonds on ‘Clement Attlee’s Labour Governments of 1945-51: A Reappraisal'.
December 17, 2025 at 7:59 AM
A packed room for @histparl.bsky.social’s annual lecture!
A great evening and lecture given by Rt Hon. Nick Thomas-Symonds on ‘Clement Attlee’s Labour Governments of 1945-51: A Reappraisal'.
A great evening and lecture given by Rt Hon. Nick Thomas-Symonds on ‘Clement Attlee’s Labour Governments of 1945-51: A Reappraisal'.
Reposted by Dr Lisa Berry-Waite
I have had a great few days at the Visual Representations of Parliaments conference at the German Historical Institute in Paris - I spoke on 1920s flapper’ cartoons alongside @lisaberrywaite.bsky.social @sclapperton.bsky.social on party political posters at 1929 election - perfect synergy! 🗃️
November 28, 2025 at 11:48 AM
I have had a great few days at the Visual Representations of Parliaments conference at the German Historical Institute in Paris - I spoke on 1920s flapper’ cartoons alongside @lisaberrywaite.bsky.social @sclapperton.bsky.social on party political posters at 1929 election - perfect synergy! 🗃️
It was a privilege to attend the President of Germany’s address in the Royal Gallery thanks to a staff ticket. An unforgettable experience.
Today, President of Germany, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, addressed Members of both Houses during an official state visit to UK Parliament. President Steinmeier and First Lady Elke Büdenbende were welcomed by the Speakers of @ukhouseofcommons and @ukhouseoflords.
December 8, 2025 at 9:07 AM
It was a privilege to attend the President of Germany’s address in the Royal Gallery thanks to a staff ticket. An unforgettable experience.
Very excited to finally meet Hope, the life-size Lego suffragette 💚💜
Last week was UK Parliament Week, an annual education event which explores what @ukparliament.parliament.uk does.
It was great to see so many schools getting involved and meet Hope in Westminster Hall!
Last week was UK Parliament Week, an annual education event which explores what @ukparliament.parliament.uk does.
It was great to see so many schools getting involved and meet Hope in Westminster Hall!
December 1, 2025 at 8:24 AM
Very excited to finally meet Hope, the life-size Lego suffragette 💚💜
Last week was UK Parliament Week, an annual education event which explores what @ukparliament.parliament.uk does.
It was great to see so many schools getting involved and meet Hope in Westminster Hall!
Last week was UK Parliament Week, an annual education event which explores what @ukparliament.parliament.uk does.
It was great to see so many schools getting involved and meet Hope in Westminster Hall!
Reposted by Dr Lisa Berry-Waite
#OTD 1918 the Parliament (Qualification of Women) Act, giving women the right to stand for parliament, gained royal assent.
To find out more about early women parliamentary candidates, and the campaigns they ran, read @lisaberrywaite.bsky.social article. historyofparliament.com/2019/06/11/s...
To find out more about early women parliamentary candidates, and the campaigns they ran, read @lisaberrywaite.bsky.social article. historyofparliament.com/2019/06/11/s...
‘She is an Outsider in Public Life’: women parliamentary candidates, 1918-1923 - The History of Parliament
Ahead of tonight’s Parliaments, Politics and People seminar at the Institute of Historical Research, we hear from Lisa Berry-Waite, a Leverhulme-funded PhD
historyofparliament.com
November 21, 2025 at 9:00 AM
#OTD 1918 the Parliament (Qualification of Women) Act, giving women the right to stand for parliament, gained royal assent.
To find out more about early women parliamentary candidates, and the campaigns they ran, read @lisaberrywaite.bsky.social article. historyofparliament.com/2019/06/11/s...
To find out more about early women parliamentary candidates, and the campaigns they ran, read @lisaberrywaite.bsky.social article. historyofparliament.com/2019/06/11/s...
Looking forward to the @histparl.bsky.social's Annual Lecture!
The History of Parliament is excited to announce this year's Annual Lecture!
On 16 December in Portcullis House, Rt Hon. Nick Thomas-Symonds will be speaking on 'Clement Attlee’s Labour Governments of 1945-51: A Reappraisal'.
Tickets are FREE and can be found in the link below:
On 16 December in Portcullis House, Rt Hon. Nick Thomas-Symonds will be speaking on 'Clement Attlee’s Labour Governments of 1945-51: A Reappraisal'.
Tickets are FREE and can be found in the link below:
Annual Lecture: Clement Attlee’s Labour Governments of 1945-51
Join us for the History of Parliament Annual Lecture for 2025, given by Rt Hon. Nick Thomas-Symonds.
www.eventbrite.co.uk
November 12, 2025 at 10:31 AM
Looking forward to the @histparl.bsky.social's Annual Lecture!
Reposted by Dr Lisa Berry-Waite
Autumn at the Palace of Westminster 🍂
November 12, 2025 at 10:07 AM
Autumn at the Palace of Westminster 🍂
Reposted by Dr Lisa Berry-Waite
In our latest article, Dr Kathryn Rix has looked at the 23 MPs commemorated in the Commons chamber who died during the Second World War.
Their biographies written by #HistParl are now accessible on Parliament's website, links to which you can find in Dr Rix's article below:
Their biographies written by #HistParl are now accessible on Parliament's website, links to which you can find in Dr Rix's article below:
MPs and the Second World War - The History of Parliament
Ahead of Remembrance Day, and with 2025 marking 80 years since the end of the Second World War, Dr Kathryn Rix, Assistant Editor of our House of Commons,
historyofparliament.com
November 11, 2025 at 8:30 AM
In our latest article, Dr Kathryn Rix has looked at the 23 MPs commemorated in the Commons chamber who died during the Second World War.
Their biographies written by #HistParl are now accessible on Parliament's website, links to which you can find in Dr Rix's article below:
Their biographies written by #HistParl are now accessible on Parliament's website, links to which you can find in Dr Rix's article below:
Reposted by Dr Lisa Berry-Waite
"We shape our buildings and afterwards our buildings shape us" (Sir Winston Churchill, 1943)
October 28, 2025 at 5:39 PM
"We shape our buildings and afterwards our buildings shape us" (Sir Winston Churchill, 1943)
Fascinating seminar last night by @satisfactory20.bsky.social on ‘The Speaker’s and the Suffragettes’. I especially enjoyed hearing more about the ‘suffragette chain’ which was recently donated to the Parliamentary Art Collection @ihr.bsky.social @histparl.bsky.social
This is a recently discovered 'suffragette chain'! Want to know more? Come and hear me speak on 'The Speakers and the Suffragettes', online and in person at the @histparl.bsky.social seminar at the @ihrlibrary.bsky.social on Tues 28 Oct at 5PM! Free - book here www.history.ac.uk/news-events/...
October 29, 2025 at 8:20 AM
Fascinating seminar last night by @satisfactory20.bsky.social on ‘The Speaker’s and the Suffragettes’. I especially enjoyed hearing more about the ‘suffragette chain’ which was recently donated to the Parliamentary Art Collection @ihr.bsky.social @histparl.bsky.social
Reposted by Dr Lisa Berry-Waite
New on the blog!
Dr Robyn Floyd (rkfloyd.bsky.social) explores Josephine Fiddes' story, an English actress, vocalist, author and playwright #womenshistory
Read it here:
womenshistorynetwork.org/rediscoverin...
Dr Robyn Floyd (rkfloyd.bsky.social) explores Josephine Fiddes' story, an English actress, vocalist, author and playwright #womenshistory
Read it here:
womenshistorynetwork.org/rediscoverin...
Rediscovering Josephine Fiddes and her forgotten Australian novel – Robyn Floyd
Josephine Fiddes was an English actress, vocalist, author and playwright who graced stages across three continents during the 19th century. Her creative output extended beyond acting to directing, …
womenshistorynetwork.org
July 29, 2025 at 8:00 AM
New on the blog!
Dr Robyn Floyd (rkfloyd.bsky.social) explores Josephine Fiddes' story, an English actress, vocalist, author and playwright #womenshistory
Read it here:
womenshistorynetwork.org/rediscoverin...
Dr Robyn Floyd (rkfloyd.bsky.social) explores Josephine Fiddes' story, an English actress, vocalist, author and playwright #womenshistory
Read it here:
womenshistorynetwork.org/rediscoverin...
A great evening at the @histparl.bsky.social live podcast recording for ‘Tales from the Green Benches’ last night!
Really interesting to learn more about their oral history project and hear from two of the projects’s more recent interviewees, Anne Milton and Baroness Stuart of Edgbaston
#histparl
Really interesting to learn more about their oral history project and hear from two of the projects’s more recent interviewees, Anne Milton and Baroness Stuart of Edgbaston
#histparl
June 5, 2025 at 11:46 AM
A great evening at the @histparl.bsky.social live podcast recording for ‘Tales from the Green Benches’ last night!
Really interesting to learn more about their oral history project and hear from two of the projects’s more recent interviewees, Anne Milton and Baroness Stuart of Edgbaston
#histparl
Really interesting to learn more about their oral history project and hear from two of the projects’s more recent interviewees, Anne Milton and Baroness Stuart of Edgbaston
#histparl
Reposted by Dr Lisa Berry-Waite
#OTD 1913 Emily Wilding Davison was hit by the King's horse at Epsom derby, dying 4 days later.
One of the most prolific Suffragettes to interact with Parliament, guest contributor Vicky Igliowski-Broad explored Davison's wide-ranging dealings with the House:
One of the most prolific Suffragettes to interact with Parliament, guest contributor Vicky Igliowski-Broad explored Davison's wide-ranging dealings with the House:
A night in Parliament: Militant Suffragettes and Parliament - The History of Parliament
We are delighted to post this guest blog in our Women and Parliament series from one of the public historians who has been at the forefront of activities to
historyofparliament.com
June 4, 2025 at 11:31 AM
#OTD 1913 Emily Wilding Davison was hit by the King's horse at Epsom derby, dying 4 days later.
One of the most prolific Suffragettes to interact with Parliament, guest contributor Vicky Igliowski-Broad explored Davison's wide-ranging dealings with the House:
One of the most prolific Suffragettes to interact with Parliament, guest contributor Vicky Igliowski-Broad explored Davison's wide-ranging dealings with the House:
Reposted by Dr Lisa Berry-Waite
New on the blog!
Bart Mooibroek explores the diplomatic career of Dorothea Lieven, and how female diplomats have been studied more broadly in history #womenshistory #diplomatichistory
womenshistorynetwork.org/beyond-forma...
Bart Mooibroek explores the diplomatic career of Dorothea Lieven, and how female diplomats have been studied more broadly in history #womenshistory #diplomatichistory
womenshistorynetwork.org/beyond-forma...
Beyond Formal and Informal: Giving Back Political Agency to Female Diplomats in Early Nineteenth Century Europe – Bart Mooibroek
When researching diplomatic challenges in early nineteenth century Europe, such as the Eastern Question or the Congress of Vienna, the subject matter can appear male dominated. The former refers to…
womenshistorynetwork.org
June 2, 2025 at 8:17 AM
New on the blog!
Bart Mooibroek explores the diplomatic career of Dorothea Lieven, and how female diplomats have been studied more broadly in history #womenshistory #diplomatichistory
womenshistorynetwork.org/beyond-forma...
Bart Mooibroek explores the diplomatic career of Dorothea Lieven, and how female diplomats have been studied more broadly in history #womenshistory #diplomatichistory
womenshistorynetwork.org/beyond-forma...
To mark #VE80, ‘Parliament’s War Effort’ display is now in Westminster Hall @ukparliament.parliament.uk
It tells the story of 12 individuals who contributed to Parliament’s war effort #WW2
It was great to write about Eleanor Rathbone MP, Edith Summerskill MP & Sir Geoffrey Blake for the display
It tells the story of 12 individuals who contributed to Parliament’s war effort #WW2
It was great to write about Eleanor Rathbone MP, Edith Summerskill MP & Sir Geoffrey Blake for the display
May 16, 2025 at 8:28 AM
To mark #VE80, ‘Parliament’s War Effort’ display is now in Westminster Hall @ukparliament.parliament.uk
It tells the story of 12 individuals who contributed to Parliament’s war effort #WW2
It was great to write about Eleanor Rathbone MP, Edith Summerskill MP & Sir Geoffrey Blake for the display
It tells the story of 12 individuals who contributed to Parliament’s war effort #WW2
It was great to write about Eleanor Rathbone MP, Edith Summerskill MP & Sir Geoffrey Blake for the display
A wonderful evening celebrating the paperback launch of ‘Necessary Women: The Untold Story of Parliament's Working Women’ by @satisfactory20.bsky.social and Elizabeth Hallam Smith 👏
Plus a fab location @antiquaries.bsky.social
Plus a fab location @antiquaries.bsky.social
April 2, 2025 at 8:40 AM
A wonderful evening celebrating the paperback launch of ‘Necessary Women: The Untold Story of Parliament's Working Women’ by @satisfactory20.bsky.social and Elizabeth Hallam Smith 👏
Plus a fab location @antiquaries.bsky.social
Plus a fab location @antiquaries.bsky.social
As we come to the end of #WomensHistoryMonth, I wanted to share my new intro piece on #womenssuffrage for @englishheritage.bsky.social
It looks at the individuals & organisations involved, the impact of WW1 & the legislative reforms of 1918 and 1928
www.english-heritage.org.uk/learn/histor...
It looks at the individuals & organisations involved, the impact of WW1 & the legislative reforms of 1918 and 1928
www.english-heritage.org.uk/learn/histor...
The Road to Women's Suffrage
Read this brief history of women’s suffrage in England - the fight for women to gain the vote on the same terms as men. We explore the individuals and organisations involved in the fight for women’s s...
www.english-heritage.org.uk
March 31, 2025 at 8:13 AM
As we come to the end of #WomensHistoryMonth, I wanted to share my new intro piece on #womenssuffrage for @englishheritage.bsky.social
It looks at the individuals & organisations involved, the impact of WW1 & the legislative reforms of 1918 and 1928
www.english-heritage.org.uk/learn/histor...
It looks at the individuals & organisations involved, the impact of WW1 & the legislative reforms of 1918 and 1928
www.english-heritage.org.uk/learn/histor...