Rethinking Global History in a Changing World
Global history has been a major focus at the University of Warwick for nearly two decades, thanks to the pioneering work of scholars like Professor Maxine Berg and Professor Giorgio Riello. But the world and the academic landscape have changed. Movements like Black Lives Matter, the push to decolonise education, and growing awareness of global crises have challenged historians to take a fresh look at how we study the past.
In response, researchers from Warwick and Shanghai Jiao Tong University are working together to explore new directions for global history in the era of decolonisation. Their joint project,Whose Global History?brings together partners from across Europe, China, Japan, Latin America, South Asia, and Africa. The goal is to build a more inclusive, collaborative, and balanced approach to global history, one that moves beyond traditional Western perspectives.
The proposed project will focus on historical connections between Central Asia and China, and between China and Southeast Asia, offering fresh insights into global interactions and cultural exchange. By rethinking how global history is studied and shared, this collaboration aims to shape a more representative and relevant understanding of our shared past.

Prof Hao Chen
Department of History
Shanghai Jiao Tong University

Prof Anne Gerritsen
Department of History
University of Warwick