Blood is the Price of Coal

Part of a photograph of a miner, above ground after being involved with an accident. He is looking directly at the camera and has coal dust on his face.

Blood is the price of coal: Coal communities, health and welfare in Britain from the 19th century to the present

This free one day conference, held on 18 June 2026, brought together researchers from higher education, community and campaign groups, libraries, archives and museums to explore the history of health and welfare in Britain’s coal mining industry.

Held jointly by the University of Warwick's Centre for the History of Medicine, Science and Technology, and Modern Records Centre, the event ran alongside an exhibition which explored some of the themes covered by the speakers through the National Union of Mineworkers' archives.

Conference funding was provided by the Wellcome Trust, Society for the Study of Labour History and University of Warwick.

Conference programme

Information about the conference speakers, papers and displays.

Photograph of the conference venue, looking towards one of the speakers

Conference photographs

Photographs of the event, including the conference speakers.