Research in history and art history

Internationally recognised research excellence in the fields of social and cultural history

History at Plymouth has an established tradition of internationally recognised research excellence in the fields of social and cultural history – which broadly defined encompasses expertise in early modern religion, gender and sexuality, Victorian and twentieth-century British society, politics, crime and law; modern labour history, popular politics, modern US politics and civil rights – as well as in modern political, maritime, military and diplomatic history, the British Empire and modern China and Japan. We also have research strengths in Heritage, Public History and Oral History, Eighteenth-Century Architectural History, Maritime History, and Archives and Digital Humanities.
History at Plymouth houses Cornerstone Heritage , Plymouth Heritage Praxis, and is the academic home of Histories of the Unexpected (directed by James Daybell and TV presenter, historian and Honorary Research Fellow at Plymouth, Sam Willis).

Research highlights

Lanhydrock plaster ceiling
Restoration of 17th century plaster ceiling at Lanhydrock House

The National Trust is embarking on the restoration of a 17th century plaster ceiling at Lanhydrock House, partnering with the University to document and interpret the narrative design
Mount Edgcumbe
Cornerstone Heritage

The University of Plymouth's research centre in cultural heritage – how we live with, use and understand the past through things, spaces, traditions and memory.
Powderham castle adobe stock image
Professor Dan Maudlin

VIDEO: Professor Daniel Maudlin, Researcher and Lecturer in History and Cultural Heritage, takes us on an historical tour of Powderham Castle.
James Daybell
Professor James Daybell

Professor in Early Modern British History, James Daybell, was one of the first researchers to establish the field of early modern women’s letter writing, uncovering the hidden histories of women and their roles within society.
A pirate ship on the sea in the Carribbean.
Exploring the truth behind the pirate stereotype

From wooden legs to walking the plank, Dr Elaine Murphy unpacks the myths which have influenced our representation of the classic pirate
‘First contingent of the New American Expeditionary Forces arrive in Belfast’. Copyright free image from Library of Congress.
Historian publishes first comprehensive study of American troops in Northern Ireland during World War II

On the 80th anniversary of the arrival of American soldiers in Northern Ireland in the wake of Pearl Harbor, historian Simon Topping, has shed new light on this often-neglected story with a groundbreaking new book
Peter Bokody
Dr Peter Bokody

Lecturer in Art History and a specialist of the Italian Renaissance, talks about his research in medieval and renaissance art

Research impact

Researchers in History are actively engaged with stakeholders outside the University context, to contribute to meaningful and tangible benefits for people, the environment, and communities.
REF2021 Impact Case Study
Professor James Daybell, New Technologies and changing lives: Histories of the Unexpected.

History research specialisms and associated staff

Early modern

Modern

Maritime history

Elaine Murphy
Harry Bennett
Louis Halewood

War and society

Elaine Murphy
Harry Bennett
Sandra Barkhof

Early Modern Europe

Gender history

History of sexuality

Crime and society

History of the book and Renaissance letters

James Daybell
Jameson Tucker

Diplomatic and political history

Global and transnational histories

Darren Aoki
Sandra Barkhof
Hannah Theaker

Modern German history

Sandra Barkhof

Early modern Irish and modern Irish history

Early modern British history

Modern British history

James Gregory
Louis Halewood
Daniel Maudlin

Modern Japan

Darren Aoki
Sandra Barkhof

History of the USA and transatlantic cultures

Early modern French history

Jameson Tucker

Material culture and histories of British / transatlantic landscape and building

Cultural and social history

Oral history

Heritage, public history and local history

Modern Chinese history

Art history research specialisms

  • The history of collecting and curating.
  • Postcolonialism and art history.
  • Meta-painting in Western visual culture.
  • Political iconography and representations of sexual violence in Medieval and Renaissance Italy.
  • The reception of the Renaissance and Renaissance artists from 1750 to the present.
  • The history and practice of art historical writing in Europe in the 19th and early 20th centuries.

Our researchers

Postgraduate research opportunities

Related articles

Digital research repository

The School of Society and Culture (SSC) is home to a diverse collection of researchers working in the social sciences, humanities and performing arts. We’re dedicated to advancing knowledge for public benefit, driving meaningful change in our society and enriching communities (be they near us or an ocean away). Visit our digital repository of staff research to watch short videos from academics working across the School’s disciplines: Anthropology, Art History, Computer Music, Creative Writing, Criminology, English, Environmental Cultures, Heritage, History, International Relations, Law, Music, Politics, Sociology, Theatre and Performance.