On History

News, articles & research from the
Institute of Historical Research

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Precarity and Independence

Precarity and Independence

This blog post was written by Hélène Maloigne, archaeologist, historian, cultural heritage professional, and IHR Fellow. As a historian, you meet a lot of people. Or at least, that is how I like to think about my research on the history of archaeology in the Middle...

Spotlight

Features & Articles

Precarity and Independence

Precarity and Independence

This blog post was written by Hélène Maloigne, archaeologist, historian, cultural heritage professional, and IHR Fellow. As a historian, you meet a lot of people. Or at least, that is how I like to think about my research on the history of archaeology in the Middle...

IHR Podcast: A Historian’s Life

IHR Podcast: A Historian’s Life

This blog is written by IHR Fellow Lisa Pine, host of A Historian’s Life. Podcasts are ubiquitous—so many hosts, fascinating guests and stories, on topics ranging from sports to astronomy, and everything in between. And there are many excellent history podcasts,...

A Fanfare for Garden History

A Fanfare for Garden History

This blog post was written by Pippa Potts is a co-convenor of the History of Gardens and Landscapes Seminar. The idea had surfaced occasionally but, as so often, it took a nudge from elsewhere to make it a reality. The idea was that the excellent papers being given to...

Pre-Raphaelite Outsider: James Smetham (1821-1889)

Pre-Raphaelite Outsider: James Smetham (1821-1889)

Since 2019 a team of archivists, creative practitioners, curators, and researchers have been exploring the life and work of the little-known artist and devout Methodist James Smetham. In this blog post, Dr Ruth Slatter (IHR Lecturer in Historic Environment and...

Publications News

Four New Victoria County History Projects 

Four New Victoria County History Projects 

This blog post was written by Ruth Slatter and Adam Chapman, Co-General Editors of the VCH. The Victoria County History (VCH), is delighted to announce that its national network of place-based history is growing! 125 years after the VCH was founded, over the last few...

VCH Ghost Story

VCH Ghost Story

With the nights drawing in, it’s the season for storytelling. This curious and disconcerting letter was found recently in the archive of the Victoria County History of England (addressed to then-General Editor, William Page) and is published here for the first time....

Research & Resources News

A case for bibliographies in the age of artificial intelligence

A case for bibliographies in the age of artificial intelligence

This blog post discusses some of the reasons why bibliographies, like the Bibliography of British and Irish History (BBIH), are vital for historical study, research, and teaching. Doing historical research in the age of generative artificial intelligence (AI): some...

Bibliography of British and Irish History February 2025 update 

Bibliography of British and Irish History February 2025 update 

What’s new in BBIH?   The February 2025 update to the Bibliography of British and Irish History adds 3,736 new publications. The new update includes books, journal articles, book chapters, and edited collections covering all areas of British and Irish history,...