Research

Contemporary History and Politics Research Group

This research group is led by Dr James Cooper and Dr Christopher Kirkland.

We are interested in the intersection between politics and history.

A majority of current members have research interests in Europe and/or North America.

We host a minimum of 3 events per year, comprising of 1 external practitioner, 1 academic speaker and 1 internal presentation. We offer opportunities for staff and postgraduate researchers to showcase their latest research and receive feedback on this.

Get in touch

We would welcome PhDs that explore the intersection of history and politics particularly with a geographical focus on Europe and/or North America, including, but not limited to:

British political history since 1945
International Organisations, such as the UN
The Northern Ireland peace process
The legacy of the Vietnam War
The US presidency

Research activity

Barnes, R. (2022) "In the Mutual Interest": The Making and Breaking of the United Kingdom-Ceylon Defence Agreement, 1947-1957. Journal of Imperial and Commonwealth History 50 (6) 1093-1122

Cooper, J. (2022) A Diplomatic Meeting: Regan, Thatcher, and the Art of Summitry Lexington: University Press of Kentucky

Kirkland, C. (2022) Labours Economic Ideology: Developed Through Crises Bristol: Bristol University Press

Jarvis, S. (2022) 'The R2P and Atrocity Prevention: Contesting Human Rights as a Threat to International Peace and Security.' European Journal of International Security