Course summary

The Institute of Historical Research was founded in 1921 to address the limited opportunities for historical research and training in the UK. The Institute provides first-class PhD supervision and guidance from academics who are leaders in their field. Occasionally it will also agree to co-supervise with individuals outside of the IHR in order to enhance the breadth of expertise available to you. Undertaking doctoral research allows you to develop in-depth knowledge, while making a meaningful contribution to your chosen field. With guidance from our expert supervisors, you’ll carry out extensive independent research culminating in a thesis of up to 100,000 words. The Institute of Historical Research has a broad remit to cover the history of the world from the fourth to the 21st century, but has particular strengths in British and European history. The Institute offers doctoral research supervision in the following broad areas:

• Medieval British history

• Modern British history

• Local, regional and community histories of the British Isles

• Place and Identity

• Early medieval Northumbria and the north

• Later medieval armies and warfare

• Urban and metropolitan history (especially London), including comparative approaches across Europe and elsewhere

• Late medieval and early modern urban history

• Digital history and historical geographic information system

• History of propaganda in the 20th century

• History of the First and Second World Wars

• History of emotions in modern Britain

• The everyday lives of ‘ordinary’ people

• Architecture, planning and the built environment in Britain from the 20th century onward

• The British Commonwealth and British decolonisation

• History and policy

• Medievalism and other usages of the past

• American foreign relations

• US political history