Modern British Studies Association

A landmark book.

Join an exciting lineup of historians - @saimanasar.bsky.social, Matthew Hilton, @sadiahqureshi.bsky.social, @somsproject.bsky.social and @historianhelen.bsky.social - for a discussion of how to publish your research. Nov 5th, 1-3.30pm, Wills Memorial Building, University of Bristol - all welcome!

Troubling the Island Story is now published as an ebook with hard copies in November. In the midst of crisis in HE & beyond, it feels like the end of an era of the kind of intellectual engagement that Catherine Hall fostered & embodies & of critical, feminist, anti racist, historical scholarship

We are delighted to announce the joint winners of the WHN/WHAI book prize for 2025: Sarah Crook for Unhappy mothers @sarahcrook.bsky.social and Samuel Rutherford for Teaching Gender @echomikeromeo.bsky.social For full details on the winners, please see: womenshistorynetwork.org/womens-histo...

What does it mean to be shortlisted for the #WolfsonHistoryPrize? Find out more about Sadiah and the book that earned her a place on this year's shortlist, 'Vanished: An Unnatural History of Extinction', in our Q&A linked below. @sadiahqureshi.bsky.social⬇️ bit.ly/4hflSp3

One afternoon only: we're selling duplicate books, pamphlets and magazines from our Special Collections & Archives; London history, LGBTQIA+ history, and general history. Free to attend. Sunday 27 September, 14:30–17:30. Details: https://www.bishopsgate.org.uk/whats-on/activity/book-sale-2/

We're looking for a freelance conservator to survey and rehouse audio heritage as part of the Sounds of the Midlands project. For more information please email us. Deadline for applications is Monday, 12 October #LibraryofBham @uniofleicester.bsky.social

Indy Historians in the Midlands - we want to meet you! Come along to our meet up on Weds 16th September! It's just by New St so very easy to get to, and it's a drop-by-whenever-you-can format. DM or sign up here: forms.gle/4svnEKhdTDRL...

@indyhistnetwork.bsky.social The Modern British Studies Association is seeking a representative for independent scholars on our Steering Committee - please do consider joining us. Further details via this link: modbritstud.org.uk/join/

The Modern British Studies Association is looking for volunteers to join its steering committee. We're keen to appoint a representative for independent scholars, for early career researchers, & co-editors for our blog. More details below; expressions of interest by 7 Sept. modbritstud.org.uk/join/

We're delighted to announce that Somak Biswas has won the MBSA Early Career Prize for best presentation at #MBS2026, for a paper entitled ‘AIDS & the Racialisation of Mobility: Britain, 1985-1995’. The judges also highly commended Rebecca Orr & Naomi Samake-Bäckert modbritstud.org.uk/events-awards/

Just one more day to send in your paper from #MBS26 if you want to enter our ECR best paper prize modbritstud.org.uk/events-awards/

'Lawyers held a unique vantage point as the law was increasingly used in norm-breaking ways as a tool of campaigners from across the political spectrum.' Katherine Milliken identifies new avenues for understanding late twentieth century Britain through the law. modbritstud.org.uk/why-do-you-n...

Why should historians investigate the legal profession? Katherine Milliken @katie1973.bsky.social argues that lawyers became key contestors of a more powerful 1970s & 1980s political executive. Out today on #MBSA Histories from Here modbritstud.org.uk/why-do-you-n...

If you are an ECR and gave a paper at #MBS26, please do send us your paper and slides for consideration for our 'Best ECR Paper' prize. Details on our website, www.modbritstud.org.uk

For those looking for some longer historical context about white supremacist politics in Northern Ireland, I heartily recommend Daniel Geary’s chapter in this fantastic edited collection: manchesteruniversitypress.co.uk/9781526147073/

I’m really pleased to see my article on “The Asian Mother and Baby Campaign” in the @jbritishstudies.bsky.social Many thanks to @leverhulme.ac.uk for funding this research. www.cambridge.org/core/journal...

The latest in our 'Histories from Here' series is published today. @beccagold.bsky.social reflects on writing contingent, hopeful histories in today's heated political moment, that assume neither progress nor collapse are inevitable modbritstud.org.uk/history-from...

A really great time attending and speaking at @modbritstud.bsky.social Conference the past few days! Great papers with great speakers #MBS2026

Biggest thanks to Chika Tonooka for all her posts over the course of #mbs26. It was great to be able to give glimpses of the panels and debate to folks on Bsky

Discussion of passing in relation to race, class, disability, gender & ethnicity raises very pertinent final questions for #mbs26: how modern is the sense of self that underpins ideas of passing? Is the language of presenting more useful? How can we explore sonic and embodied aspects?

In the last panel of #mbs26 we are keeping our energy levels up with edible cups to nibble as we listen to the brilliant lineup discussing passing in modern Britain

Here are the choices for the post-lunch slot #MBS2026: 1. Social Science and British Government in the 1990s: Sex, Deficits, and Futurology 2. Politics, Society, and the Body 3. Energy transitions 4. Political Movements and the Afterlife of Empire 5. Crises of Sexual Health in Modern Britain

Fascinating panel on women's oral history evidence and how it might be used in policy collaborations. Dangers of flattening evidence and policymaker disinterest in slow research. Yet panelists note govt and business strong interest in participatory methods #mbs2026