This is the third annual KCBH conference. This year our theme will Britain’s Futures – the ways in which hoped for or feared futures were articulated. Our expectation is that a discussion focused on the projects, promises and plans of the past will enrich our collective understanding of both British history and how it has been written.

Our four themed discussions, on National and Imperial futures, Social futures, Economic futures, and Political futures, will be led by, among others:

Clarisse Berthezène, Lise Butler, Sabine Clarke, Alana Harris, Kit Kowol, Helen McCarthy, Charlotte Lydia Riley, Emily Robinson, Catherine Schenk, Bill Schwarz, Peter Sloman, and Richard Toye.

PIMLOTT LECTURE: On the evening of 9 July, KCBH will co-host the Ben Pimlott Memorial Lecture 2019, with Twentieth Century British History and OUP Journals. Professor Patricia Clavin will deliver the lecture, which will be entitled, ‘Britain and the making of Global Order after 1919’. Anyone who signs up for the KCBH conference is free to attend the Pimlott Lecture

This event is free, but booking is essential.

England on the Verge of Brexit: Brexit was made in England; but will England be re-made by Brexit?

Lecture by John Denham

19 March, 6.30-8pm / Nash Lecture Theatre, King’s College London, The Strand, London WC2R 2LS

Brexit was a very English decision. Yet England was barely mentioned in the referendum campaign nor in its fractious aftermath. It remains a nation whose name is unspoken. 

This lecture will explore the roots of England’s discontent in its governance and constitutional status and the failure to tackle the nation’s economic and social divides. John Denham will argue that, unless these challenges are addressed during Brexit and its aftermath, the underlying tensions will only grow.

Prof John Denham is Director of the Centre for English Identity and Politics at the University of Winchester. He is a former Labour MP and Cabinet Minister.

The lecture is jointly hosted by King’s Contemporary British history and English Labour Network. It is the inaugural event in KCBH’s England series.

To attend, please register at Eventbrite here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/england-on-the-verge-of-brexit-john-denham-tickets-57032846780

King’s Contemporary British History and the Sir Michael Howard Centre for the History of War will host a book launch for Fighting the People’s War: the British and Commonwealth Armies and the Second World War, by Dr Jonathan Fennell, on Thursday 28 February 2019, at 6.00pm. 

For details, including registration, see here.

Professor David Edgerton, director of KCBH, will speak at the Institute of Historical Research on 28 January. His topic will be ‘The rise and fall of the British Nation: some reflections’. More information here.

KCBH is delighted to announce that it will co-host the Ben Pimlott Memorial Lecture 2019, with Twentieth Century British History and OUP Journals. Professor Patricia Clavin will deliver the lecture, which will be entitled, ‘Britain and the making of Global Order after 1919’.

Tuesday 9th July 2019, 6:30 p.m.
King’s College London

Location: TBA

Please watch this space for Eventbrite registration

For more information, see here.

King’s Contemporary British History and the Sir Michael Howard Centre for the History of War will co-host an event to celebrate the publication of Blunder: Britain’s War in Iraq by Professor Patrick Porter (University of Birmingham), in the KCL History Department on Friday 14 December 2018. Talk by the author, followed by a Q&A, and wine reception. All welcome, but booking required: see here. 

Richard Vinen, Professor of History at King’s College London, will deliver the Creighton Lecture on 28th November, in the IHR.  His topic is ‘When was Thatcherism?’. For more information, and booking, click here.