Impact & Public Engagement

My research focuses on the modern history of Russia and Eastern Europe, especially Poland and the Ukraine. Previous work has examined the impact of war experiences on the now Ukrainian city of Lviv in the first half of the twentieth century. My current research deals with the symbol and cult of the "Unknown Soldier" and how it adapts to changes in society and politics. This body of work has created impact in the education sector and private organisations, and has resulted in several public engagement activities.

Impact

Historial de la Grande Guerre (ongoing)

The Historical Museum of the Great War in Péronne, France, is a cultural museum which seeks to show how lives of combatants and civilians were drastically modified by the war. I am a member of the museum's Scientific Committee which comprises of historians from universities across the globe. The Committee operates in an advisory capacity guiding the ongoing development of the International Research Centre associated with the museum.

Center for Urban History of East-Central Europe (ongoing)

The Center for Urban History of East-Central Europe in L'viv, Ukraine, is a private, non-profit research institute which supports and facilitates research on Eastern Europe. I am a member of the advisory board.

History Strategic Advisory Group, Pearson (finished)

I was a member of the History Strategic Advisory Group at Pearson/Edexcel. Along with other HE representatives, I advised on subject content requirements and the overall scheme of assessment for new A level qualifications, and reviewed proposals to ensure that materials are consistent with requirement and support progression to undergraduate programmes of study.

Ukrainian Jewish Encounter Initiative (2009 & 2011)

The Ukrainian Jewish Encounter Initiative is a privately organised, multinational initiative launched in 2008 as a collaboration project engaging Ukrainians of Jewish, Christian and other heritages, in the Ukraine and Israel as well as in the diasporas. Its work engages scholars, civil leaders, artists, governments, and the broader public to reconcile Ukrainian and Jewish narratives of their mutual relationship in the last few centuries.

I was invited to participate in two meetings held at Ditchley Park, Oxford in December 2009 and Potsdam in June 2011 as part of the 'Shared Narrative Series'.

Public Engagement

'Tombs of the Unknown Soldier' (November 2021) Zoom

Zoom Talk to the 'Friends of the Folkestone Museum' on war remembrance and the emergence and proliferation of 'Tombs of the Unknown Soldier' in the interwar period.

'The German Perspective' (November 2018)

Talk to the Bidford History Society about Germany in the first five years after the First World War.

'German Remembrance' (March 2016)

Talk to the Rugby History Society on German war remembrance

Impossible Peace (2017)

Contribution (interview) to the Austrian TV series on the inter-war period 'Impossible Peace' https://www.wildbear.tv/work/impossible-peace/

'Ukraine, The Unlikely Nation' (March 2015)

Talk to the Rugby History Society on Ukrainian history

'The Diary of Anne Frank' (March, 2012)

I was invited to speak at 'Discover the Diary Education Evening', a public event held to mark the opening of Touring Consortiums Theatre Company's production of The Diary of Anne Frank at the Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton. This free event encouraged members of the public to consider and learn about the history surrounding Anne Frank's writing. I gave a talk entitled 'The Road to Auschwitz: German Anti-Semitism and the murder of Anne Frank'.

Find out more about the production and Touring Consortium Theatre Company.

History Society, Eton College (November, 2011)

I was asked to speak to the Eton College History Society about my work on memorial culture. I gave a talk on 'War, Genocide and Remembrance in Eastern Europe'.

'The Holocaust in the Context of Nazi Politics and Ideology' (January 2009)

Lunchtime Talk at the Herbert Art Gallery and Museum, Coventry

European Network Remembrance and Solidarity

The European Network Remembrance and Solidarity is an initiative of four countries - Germany, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia - aimed at broadening knowledge on Europe's history in the twentieth centiry, in particular totalitarian regimes, its victims and consequences. I attended the Network's conference, 'Places of Remembrance in Central-Eastern Europe. Previous Experiences and Perspectives' in January 2008 at the Royal Castle, Warsaw and spoke about 'Lviv - A multi-ethnic city'.

My talk has been published on the Network's website in German, English, Hungarian, Slovak and Polish.

Department of History