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HistoryLab
@ihrhistorylab.bsky.social
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History Lab is the UK's national network for postgraduate students in history and related disciplines. https://linktr.ee/ihrhistorylab
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Join us on Thursday 13th November to hear Sendeke Awota Mesele discuss the "Red Terror in Gondar town, Ethiopia, 1975-1980". We are very much looking forward to this talk!

To sign up, either scan the QR code or use the link below: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Red Terror in Gondar town, Ethiopia, 1975-1980, Sendeke Awota Mesele (University of Gondar, Ethiopia) Sendeke Awota Mesele has been working as an instructor and researcher in the department of History and Heritage Management at the University of Gondar. Throughout these years of experience, Sendeke became a dedicated and committed educator and researcher engaged in researching and enhancing innovation. Sendeke has published articles and participated in many scholarly conferences and seminars. Currently, as a PhD candidate, Sendeke’s dissertation focuses on political history aimed at contributing in filling the historiography gap of contemporary political history of Ethiopia. November 13 2025 | 17.30 - 19.00| Online, via zoom. Register now through this QR code or at https://forms.gle/U8q87QyV4SJ4121N7 This paper is all about the history of Red Terror in the town of Gondar in a period between 1975 and 1980. It examines the beginning, course, and aftermath of the Red Terror in a local dynamic. It was during the Derg regime that this terrible course of history occurred. Following the overthrow of the Solomonic regime, aged more than 700 years, the military group took the power of state control. However, the Derg faced opposition since its birth. The offshoots of the Ethiopian Student Movement, the Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Party (EPRP) and the All Ethiopian Socialist Movement (AESM), were the opponents of it. These two political groups were the first in the political party history of the country. They were diaspora parties, established abroad. However, AESM shifted its stance in response to their resistance. This resulted from the Derg’s significant actions regarding the land issue. The Rural Land Proclamation, which Derg launched in 1975, addressed the primary concerns of the populace and students under the previous government. In contrast to AESM, however, the EPRP persisted in its adamant resistance demanding a People’s Government. Consequently, the conflict between AESM and Derg and EPRP continued for a considerable amount of time. Later on, this close bond evolved into the horrific Red Terror. The Red Terror occurred in the capital and in other major provincial towns. In the town of Gondar, the terror was very active. The EPRP has been in the city since1975 and organized to fight against Derg in politics and military attacks. The military government, in collaboration with AESM, has also made its best effort to eliminate EPRP. To make this effort fruitful, the Derg armed the local militias and the revolutionary guards. From November 1977 to June 1980, they intensified the Red Terror. It is said that more than 1700 people were killed during the terror.
November 7, 2025 at 12:55 PM
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📢CFP: Annual Olivette Otele Prize 2025/26!

Our annual prize for Black UK-based history PhD students is now open for submissions!

📆Key dates:

- Abstracts due on 28th November
- Notifications on 19th December
- 8000 word essay due on 27th Feb

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Olivette Otele Prize 2025/26 Open for Submissions! The Institute of Historical Research’s History Lab is excited to announce the call for papers for the Olivette Otele Prize for the 2025/26 academic year. The prize offers the chance for fast-tracked publication of an article and a cash prize of £250 and is open to Black UK-based PhD students working in history or related disciplines, exploring any place or period. Olivette Otele Prize 2025/26 Open for Submissions! We invite you to submit an abstract of no more than 400 words for a 40 minute paper by Friday 28th November 2025 to ihrhistorylab@gmail.com. Timeline: Abstract deadline of no more than 400 words due by 28th November 2025 Shortlisted scholars will be notified by Friday 19th December 2025 and asked to submit a full paper of no more than 8000 words by Friday 27th February The winner will be announced by the end of March 2026 Prize and Recognition The winner will receive a £250 cash prize, will be invited to speak at History Lab’s annual conference in summer 2026, and to submit their paper to Historical Research, the leading generalist historical journal and flagship publication of the Institute of Historical Research. Shortlisted scholars will receive a £30 book voucher and the opportunity to present their research at a History Lab seminar. About the Prize The Olivette Otele Prize was created in 2020 in response to the Royal Historical Society’s ‘Race, Ethnicity and Equality Report’ which highlighted racial inequality in the field of history. The prize was named after the UK’s first Black woman history professor and was designed to both raise participants’ profiles as well as financially reward labour involved in academic research. We look forward to reading your applications!
October 29, 2025 at 10:25 AM
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Our next seminar is happening on Thursday 30th October and is titled "From Displacement to Belonging: Heritage, Identity, and Generational Change in Post-1974 Cyprus". Join us with Lara Peeraer to learn more about displacement in Cyprus since the 1974 division.

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From Displacement to Belonging: Heritage, Identity, and Generational Change in Post-1974 Cyprus Lara Peeraer (Erasmus Mundus, University of Glasgow) Lara Peeraer graduated in 2024 with a Master’s in Art History and Archaeology from the Vrije Universiteit Brussel. Her research focuses on the intersections of heritage, history, and social identity, with particular interest in how cultural heritage fosters belonging and wellbeing. She has contributed to cultural diplomacy projects such as Wonderlust and international cultural festivals, and gained experience as an intern with EUNIC. Currently, she is pursuing a second Master’s in Arts and Cultural Heritage Management in Global Markets (Erasmus Mundus, University of Glasgow), further specializing in heritage as a tool for social wellbeing. October 30 2025| 17.30 - 19.00| Online, via zoom From Displacement to Belonging Lara Peeraer This paper examines the history of internal displacement in Cyprus since the division in 1974 and its impact on the current identity of the community and its engagement with heritage. The research focuses on the village of Dromolaxia and how internally displaced persons (IDPs) and their descendants experience local heritage and their sense of connection to it. Based on theories of social identity, place identity and place attachment, it examines how displacement has damaged the relationship between IDPs and the heritage of their new place of residence. Survey data is used to examine generational differences in awareness, familiarity and involvement with heritage. First-generation IDPs remain more attached to the heritage of their place of origin, and often have a weaker connection with the local heritage of Dromolaxia and are involved in archaeological initiatives to a limited extent. Second-generation displaced persons, on the other hand, show a shift. Their familiarity with local sights, participation in heritage activities and willingness to engage in conservation are approaching the level of long-term residents. This transition suggests that, although displacement initially severed place identity, second-generation residents are less affected by this due to the similar internal cultures and customs of the country. The findings show that heritage in post-conflict Cyprus is a dynamic process of identity formation. In contexts of displacement, heritage functions both as an anchor to the past and as a path to new forms of connectedness. By acknowledging the historical depth of displacement and involving displaced persons in inclusive heritage practices, heritage management can promote dialogue, social cohesion and long-term community participation. More broadly, the case of Dromolaxia illustrates how heritage can mediate the legacy of conflict and support intergenerational processes of identity restoration.
October 25, 2025 at 2:00 PM
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Our next online seminar will be on Thursday 16th October! Join us for this interdisciplinary panel to discuss working in archives and methodologies!

To book your place, please use this link: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

We can't wait to see you there!
History Lab Seminar: Historians and the Archive. Online (via Zoom) Thursday 16th October 5.30pm - 7pm. This seminar brings together four papers from Postgraduate Researchers in History, Creative Writing and Medieval Studies, focusing on work in archives and case studies arising from archival work. By exploring a range of case studies and topics of focus, this seminar aims to explore archival methodologies and their use by historians. Audience members are encouraged to bring examples of their own archival practice for discussion.
October 12, 2025 at 1:50 PM
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You can now follow us on these other places as well! Go ahead and give us a follow, we'll see you over there!
History Lab, welcome to LinkedIn! History Lab is now on Facebook!
October 1, 2025 at 2:12 PM
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Our first seminar of the academic year is taking place on Thursday 2nd October! 🤩 Tawana Kunaka will be presenting her research titled British Brute and Benevolence which investigates the role of colonial violence and the mystique of British anti-racism in sustaining imperial authority.

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History Lab Presents "British brute and Benevolence: An Investigation into the use of Colonial Violence and the Mystique of Anti-British Racism During British Imperialism in Relation to the Baptist War (1831-1) and the Morant Bay Rebellion (1865) by Tawana Kunaka. 2nd October, 5.45pm-7pm, online via Zoom. Tawana Kunaka holds a BA in History and Politics from the University of Liverpool. She is now pursuing an MA in Contemporary British History at King’s College London, focusing on the impact of colonialism on Britain and its influence on racialised perceptions of immigrants and non-white Britons. In 2025, she presented at the Lancaster Postgraduate Conference on her paper ‘Stella Dadzie and the Significance of experience on the Black radical tradition’. Tawana’s research seeks to contribute as a progressive force in academia, using historical inquiry not only to understand the past but also to envision more equitable futures. This research investigates the role of colonial violence and the mystique of British anti-racism in sustaining imperial authority. Popular memory of the British Empire often omits the violence found within the colonial period, instead Britain is often presented as a benevolent power committed to justice and humanitarian progress. By using Perry’s conception of the ‘mystique of British anti-racism’, this study examines how such myths were constructed and maintained despite repeated episodes of colonial brutality.
September 28, 2025 at 2:57 PM
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Don't forget about History Lab's regular seminar series, which has a rolling deadline and includes all topics and periods of history! See below for more information and to apply!
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
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History Lab Call for Papers: Seminar Series 2025/26 Topics of Interest: - 40 minute papers on any period or aspect of historical study - themed panels of two 20 minute papers, or three 10-15 minute papers - papers from all UK-based PGRs - we welcome first time presenters and innovative presentation styles including panels, poster presentations, and more. All submissions will be rigorously reviewed by our team to ensure quality, innovation and relevance. Abstracts accepted on a rolling basis - apply anytime! Taking place online, Thursdays from 5.30pm onwards. Dates: - Autumn term: 2nd October to 11th December - Winter term: 22nd January to 30th March - Spring term: 16th April to 25th June Submission Requirements: - abstracts of 250-350 words detailing research objectives, methodology, and key findings - five key words outlining your research interests - a personal biography of approximately 100 words 9one for each person for group panels) - social media handles, if applicable To apply, scan the QR code or use the link in the post. Seminar Convenors: Megan Schlanker (University of Lincoln) Joe Colm Jones and Patrick O'Dare (QMUL).
September 24, 2025 at 5:14 PM
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📢 New Seminar Series!

We are thrilled to be working alongside @ihr.bsky.social on a brand new seminar series titled Migration and Mobility. We are coming together for a special edition of the seminar to showcase the work of PGRs and ECRs on migration and mobility history (1/3)
Migration and Mobility History Call for Papers: IHR History Lab and Migration and Mobility Seminar Taking place at the IHR Senate House and online, 10th February 2026, 5.30pm-7.30pm. The IHR History Lab and Migration and Mobility are coming together for a special edition of our seminar series to showcase the work of PGRs and ECRs working on migration and mobility history. We invite submissions of 20 minute papers from PGRs and ECRs on the topic of migration and mobility (broadly defined), focusing on any period or place. This is an opportunity to share your research with, and recieve feedback from, established and emerging scholars working on migration and mobility studies. To apply, send abstracts of under 250 words, with a short bio, to Kathleen Commons at kabcommons@gmail.com by 5pm on 15th November. Migration and Mobility History About the Seminars History Lab is the national network for postgraduate students in history and related disciplines. Based at the Institute of Historical Research, it serves as an intellectual and social forum that connects, empowers, and supports the postgraduate community. The IHR Migration and Mobility seminar provides a space for historians and scholars from other disciplines to come together to discuss migration and mobility in history. The seminar seeks to attract papers on a diverse range of themes and periods in migration and mobility history, including the emerging field of pre-modern migration histories, and histories of migration within the Global South. We will take an interdisciplinary approach, working with sociologists, legal scholars, and geographers with an interest in historical migration and mobility. if you have any queries about this seminar, contact Kathleen at kabcommons@gmail.com
September 24, 2025 at 5:14 PM
ihrhistorylab.bsky.social
📢 Happy September and welcome to the start of a new academic year! What better way to start off 2025/26 as a history PGR than to apply for our bi-weekly seminar series? 💻👩‍🏫

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History Lab Call for Papers: History Lab Seminar Series 2025/26. Topics of interest: - 40 minute papers on any period or aspect of historical study. - themed panels of two 20 minute papers, or three 10-15 minute papers. - papers from all UK-based Postgraduate Researchers - We welcome first-time presenters and innovative presentation styles including panels, poster presentations, and more. All submissions will be rigorously reviewed by our team to ensure quality, innovation, and relevance. Abstracts accepted on a rolling basis - apply anytime! Online, Thursdays from 5.30pm. Autumn term: 2nd October to 11th December Winter Term: 22nd January - 30th March Spring Term: 16th April - 25th June Submission Requirements: - Abstracts of 250-350 words detailing research, objectives, methodology, and key findings. - Five keywords outlining your research interests. - A personal biography of approximately 100 words (one for each person for group panels) and social media handles if applicable. To apply, scan the QR code or use the link in the below post. Institute of Historical Research. Seminar Convenors include Megan Schlanker (University of Lincoln), Joe Colm Jones and Patrick O'Dare (Queen Mary's University, London).
September 17, 2025 at 5:11 PM
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These were some of the papers that were presented yesterday. Many thanks to @meg-sch.bsky.social for these pictures who joined us online!
Paper titled "Black Seminoles: The American Crusade to Eradicate African American Societies in Florida During the Seminole Wars in the Early Nineteenth Century". Paper titled "Scientific Persuasion? Completely Wrong! Gender Roles Shaping Social Mobility Histories in Wales". Paper titled "Hacking Collective Memories: A Failed Artist-Researcher's Intervention in Activating a Regional Black Community Archive". Paper titled "Changing Representation and Perception: Looking at the Six Wives of Henry VIII in the Media".
July 25, 2025 at 7:26 PM
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Thank you to everyone who attended and presented at our conference yesterday in London @ihr.bsky.social in person and online! Each paper was truly fascinating, and we hope you all enjoyed it!

Thank you @maxinebeuret.bsky.social for these pictures!
Presenters at our annual conference. History Lab committee, past and present! Presenters at our annual conference.
July 25, 2025 at 7:26 PM
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Our conference has kicked off! We were welcomed by History Lab's Chair @thomascryer.bsky.social, Director of @ihr.bsky.social @clairelanghamer.bsky.social, and Professor Neil Forbes from Coventry University who is delivering his keynote speech 👨‍🏫

Don't forget that you can join us online! 💻
Photograph of Professor Neil Forbes delivering his keynote speech titled about the twentieth century after the First World War. Photograph of History Lab conference programmes and Royal Historical Society bookmarks, leaflets and badges.
July 24, 2025 at 9:17 AM
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Here is the programme for the conference! We can't wait to listen to these fantastic papers and look forward to seeing you all either in-person or online! 💻

(More details about the day can be found in the link above!)
11.30am - 12.50pm. Visual and Textual Representations 1: Chair: Maxine Beuret (School of Advanced Study) ‘She Types with her toes’: exploring representations of British polio-disabled individuals and the formation of a positive polio-disabled identity Charlotte Stobart (University of Manchester) • Artist-Researcher’s encounter and intervention in activating Black History Archive Frances Yeung (Coventry University) • Forefathers (and Foremothers): Gendered Experiences of Heritage in Living History Museums Megan Schlanker (University of Lincoln) Visual and Textual Representations II Room 261 • The Ethics of Aesthetics: Examining Contemporary Literary Representations of Morality in the Creation of Historical Record Thomas Bennett (University of Gloucestershire) • To dig deep: local identity and place in late Old Kingdom Egypt (c.2278–2030 BCE) Reuben Hutchinson-Wong (University of Birmingham) • Disability and identity in early modern England Grace Marshall (Birkbeck) Chair: Olivia Garro (Coventry University/The British Museum) 13:40 - 14:50, Religion and Identity: Chair: Thomas Cryer (University College London). Catholic Masculinities on the Eve of Catholic Emancipation Ilana van Dort (University of Lincoln) • Beyond the Scarlet Woman: Women, Authority, and Identity in Thelema Rebeka Erdelyiova (Newcastle University) • From Rebels to Saints: The Covenant of Grace and the re-identification of the New Model Army 1645-1650 Gaynor Beesley (University of Wolverhampton) Gender and Historical Representation Room 261 • Charles Wilson: An exploration of the treatment of gender non-conformity in newspaper reports in the early 20th century Celyn Eldr (University of Birmingham) • Putas on the Oldest Profession: Representations of Sex Work throughout Brazil’s ‘Political Opening’ Anna Drury (Lancaster University) • Scientific Persuasion? Completely Wrong! Gender Roles shaping Social Mobility Histories Emily Adams (Swansea University) Chair: Maxine Beuret (School of Advanced Study) 15:00 - 16:10. Crisis and Identity Shifts. Chair: Adeola Eze (Conventry University) • Black Seminoles; The American Crusade to eradicate free African American Societies in Florida during the Seminole Wars in the Early Nineteenth Century Matthew Cunneen (University of Wolverhampton) • Slow Violence and Short Memories: How John Hope Franklin Reconciliation Park Shaped Black Dispossession in Tulsa, Oklahoma, c. 1921-2025 Thomas Cryer (University College London) • Approaching the Six Wives of Henry VIII: A Feminist Look Megan Barber (University of Winchester) Colonial and Post-Colonial Histories Chair: Rosalind Hodgson (University of Sheffield) Opening Doors through Medical Work: The Propagandistic Use of Photography by Missionary Women in Colonial India Aayushi Gupta (University of Cambridge) • Women’s Periodicals between Colonialism versus Nationalism in British India: ‘Reading-Writing Women’ and the Creation of Bengal’s ‘Publics’ Rajosmita Roy (SOAS, University of London) • The Limitations of Ethnographic Representations in Capturing Caste Dynamics in Colonial India Through Company Paintings of Thanjavur and Trichinopoly Sahithi Kalyanam (Independent Scholar)
July 18, 2025 at 12:33 PM
ihrhistorylab.bsky.social
Awards Officer! 🏆
Awards Officer. Role responsibilities: Oversee the promotion and administration of the Olivette Otele prize. Work alongside the Chair to propose new awards and prizes that support History Lab’s diverse community of postgraduate students.
July 8, 2025 at 5:41 PM
ihrhistorylab.bsky.social
Conference Convenor! 💼
Conference Convenor. Role responsibilities: Lead the planning, coordination, and delivery of History Lab’s flagship annual conference at the Institute of Historical Research (normally held in July). Draft and circulate the Call for Papers, review submissions, and curate panels Oversee all aspects of event logistics and hosting, incl. catering.
July 8, 2025 at 5:41 PM
ihrhistorylab.bsky.social
Two Social Media and Outreach Coordinators! 📲
Social Media and Outreach Coordinators (two positions available). Role responsibilities: Manage History Lab’s presence on platforms such as Bluesky, Instagram, and other relevant social media channels. Diversify History Lab’s social media presence through the creation of a LinkedIn page. Work alongside the Committee to publicise seminars, events, and initiatives in a timely and engaging manner. Help to grow our membership and expand our national reach.
July 8, 2025 at 5:41 PM
ihrhistorylab.bsky.social
Two Seminar Convenors! 💻
Seminar Convenors (Two Positions Available). Role Responsibilities: Organise History Lab’s fortnightly online seminar series during term time. Create and publicise the seminar’s call for papers; review, accept, and schedule abstracts. Chair and coordinate all aspects of the seminars, communicating with speakers throughout the seminar process.
July 8, 2025 at 5:41 PM
ihrhistorylab.bsky.social
Treasurer! 💰
Treasurer. Role Responsibilities: Maintain an up-to-date record of History Lab's termly expenditure. Process expense claims from committee members and grant recipients. Liaise with the IHR's staff regarding financial matters.
July 8, 2025 at 5:41 PM
ihrhistorylab.bsky.social
Secretary! 🗒️
Secretary: Role Responsibilities: Schedule and organise regular committee meetings. Take and circulate minutes; maintain accurate records in the History Lab Google Drive. Coordinate Doodle polls and Zoom links ahead of Committee meetings; send follow-up communications, including minutes. Support the Committee with occasional administrative tasks.
July 8, 2025 at 5:41 PM
ihrhistorylab.bsky.social
📢 CALL FOR NEW COMMITTEE MEMBERS! 📢

History Lab warmly invites applications for its 2025-2026 Committee. History Lab is the national body, hosted at the @ihr.bsky.social, which represents over 1,500 graduate students of history across the UK.

Keep on reading for the available roles and deadline!
Applications for History Lab's 2025-26 Committee
July 8, 2025 at 5:41 PM
ihrhistorylab.bsky.social
Join us this Thursday 5th June for a seminar with Katharina Hadassah Wendl from Freie Universität Berlin/London School of Jewish Studies titled "From Sister to Sister: Women Writing Jewish Law".

To for more information and to sign up, use the link below!

www.history.ac.uk/events/siste...
History Lab Presents "From Sister to Sister: Women Writing Jewish Law" by Katharina Hadassah Wendl from Freie Universität Berlin/London School of Jewish Studies. This online seminar will take place on Thursday 5th June from 5.30pm - 7pm. Attendance is free but booking is required, so please use the link to book your place.
June 3, 2025 at 7:07 PM
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Big thank to you @maxinebeuret.bsky.social (our previous conference convenor!) for taking these pictures throughout the conference! (3/4).
Photograph of attendees by Maxine Beuret. Photograph of attendees by Maxine Beuret. Photograph of attendees by Maxine Beuret. Photograph of attendees by Maxine Beuret.
June 2, 2025 at 1:41 PM
ihrhistorylab.bsky.social
Thank you to those who presented and attended, we had some really insightful discussions and hope that the conference informed teaching practices (2/4).
Picture of the presentation welcoming attendees and presenters to the History Lab, History Lab+ and History UK conference, "Teaching in a Time of Crisis". Presentation and panel discussion titled "Teaching the History of mental Health at a Time of Crisis" featuring student collaborations from Zakia Azim O'Neill, Martha Chapman, Lara Forkan, and Tom Hasler. Photograph of panel chair, Adeola Eze, with Martha McGill and Rebecca Stone from University of Warwick presenting their paper "Playing the Past: The Power of Games in Historical Education" which was followed by time to experience the games during the lunch break. Presenters Katherine Parsons and Rita Gayle from University of Birmingham presenting their paper "The Stuart Hall PGR Group: An ECR Response to Teaching in a Time of Crisis".
June 2, 2025 at 1:41 PM
ihrhistorylab.bsky.social
Make sure to use the link below to sign up to tomorrow's seminar by Amy titled "Socialist-feminism and conceptualisations of work in the British Women’s Liberation Movement, c.1968-1992"!

www.history.ac.uk/events/socia...
Poster for an online seminar on Thursday 22nd May: Socialist-Feminism and Conceptualisations of Work in the British Women's Liberation Movement, c.1968-1992. Amy Longmuir (University of Reading). 22nd May 2025, 5.30pm-9pm, online, via Zoom.
May 21, 2025 at 4:05 PM
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📢Conference update!

You can now book your place for our annual conference! "Shaping Histories: Representation and Perception Through Time" will take place on 24th July 2025.

It is free to attend but booking is essential, so secure your place now using the link below! See you there! #skystorians
History Lab 2025 Conference poster: Registration now open! Our annual conference, this year titled "Shaping Histories: Representation and Perception Through Time" taking place on Thursday 24th July 2025, is now available for booking. The keynote speaker is Neil Forbes who is a professor in international history at Coventry University and will be presenting a speech titled "War and Conflict in Europe Since 1900: The Shaping and Representation of Identity". The conference will take place in the Wolfson Conference Suite, at the Institute of Historical Research in London. Book your place now!
May 6, 2025 at 1:11 PM