Dr. Tommy Dolan, Senior Editor at British Online Archives (BOA), discusses colonial participation in the British war efforts with Catriona Pennell, Professor of Modern History and Memory Studies at the University of Exeter. Catriona specialises in the history of nineteenth and twentieth century Britain and Ireland, with a particular focus on the relationship between war, empire, experience, and memory. She has published on various aspects of the experience of war and empire and on understandings of cultural historical approaches to the study of modern conflict more generally. Catriona was an editorial board member for BOA’s primary source collection, the Illustrated War News, 1914–1918 & 1939. She also wrote a contextual essay for this publication: “Propaganda and the mobilisation of consent during the two world wars”.

In this episode of Talking History, Catriona and Tommy consider the necessity, and challenges, of recovering colonial experiences of the wars. They also reflect upon the way in which notions of race underpinned western thought during these major conflicts, and how colonial participation in the war efforts has been taught in British schools. Catriona and Tommy likewise consider instances of colonial resistance during the war efforts and the memorialisation of colonial troops.

Please note, this episode was recorded in July 2023.

Hosted by Dr. Tommy Dolan.
Produced by Laura Wales.

Dr. Nathaniel Andrews, former Senior Editor at British Online Archives (BOA), explores the history of Spanish anarchism with Dr. Danny Evans. Danny lectures in Modern European History at Liverpool Hope University. His research focuses on the Spanish anarchist movement and the Spanish Revolution. In this episode of Talking History, Nathaniel and Danny discuss the nature of anarchism, the importance of the anarchist movement with regard to the broader history of Spain, and the Spanish Civil War (1936–39). They also consider the development of anarchist ideology following the First World War (1914–18).

Please note, this episode was recorded in February 2023.

Hosted by Dr. Nathaniel Andrews.

Produced by Laura Wales.

Rex Cleaver, former Editorial Assistant at British Online Archives (BOA), discusses the history of sport with Dr. Luke Harris. Currently, Luke is an Honorary Research Fellow at the University of Birmingham. His research explores the ways in which leisure and sport have impacted upon British identity. Luke was an editorial board member for BOA’s primary source collection, The Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News, 1874–1970. As he highlighted in the excellent contextual essay that he penned for this collection, “The portrayal of the 1908 Olympic Games in The Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News”, the early twentieth century saw a rise in media publications representing sport. This episode of Talking History considers the impact of the first Olympic Games to be held in London, the broader relationship between class and sport, and the development of British athletics. Luke and Rex also reflect upon the sporting opportunities that were available for women throughout the first half of the twentieth century.

Please note, this episode was recorded in April 2023.

Hosted by Rex Cleaver.
Produced by Laura Wales.

Dr. Nathaniel Andrews, former Senior Editor at British Online Archives (BOA), is joined by Lucy Slater, a PhD candidate at the University of Leeds. Lucy’s research explores Britain’s intelligence services, intelligence management, and the organisation and development of bureaucracies. Nathaniel and Lucy discuss the birth of the British intelligence services, their development after the Second World War (1939–45), and the tensions between national security and publishing. They also reflect upon the different types of sources available to historians and the importance of digital archives. Their discussion relates to BOA’s primary source collection, Military Intelligence Files: Land, Sea, & Air, 1938–1974.

Please note, this episode was recorded in December 2022.

Hosted by Dr. Nathaniel Andrews.
Produced by Laura Wales.

David Sarsfield, Head of Library Sales at British Online Archives (BOA), discusses international diplomacy following the First World War with Gaynor Johnson, Professor of International History at the University of Kent. Gaynor has published widely on twentieth century British foreign policy, the history of government, and the origins of the Second World War (1939–45). Gaynor also provided vital guidance and feedback as an editorial board member for BOA’s primary source collection, Paris Peace Conference and Beyond, 1919–1939.

In this episode of Talking History, Gaynor reflects on the importance of this digital collection in terms of aiding students and researchers. Her discussion with Dave likewise focuses on the Paris Peace Conference, the Treaty of Versailles, and the broader development of international diplomacy throughout the twentieth century. Dave and Gaynor reflect on the lessons that contemporary diplomats can learn from the past. They also discuss how researchers can navigate documents relating to diplomacy.

Please note, this episode was recorded in February 2023.

Hosted by David Sarsfield.
Produced by Laura Wales.

Dr. Nathaniel Andrews, former Senior Editor at British Online Archives (BOA), discusses the history of print media with Adrian Bingham, Professor of Modern British History at the University of Sheffield. Adrian has published extensively on the history of British journalism and was an editorial board member for BOA’s series of primary source collections, British Illustrated Periodicals, 1869–1970. Adrian also wrote a contextual essay for this series: “British Print Media, 1860s–1960s”. In this episode of Talking History, Adrian and Nathaniel discuss the rise of print media, the relationship between the media and politics, and the role of the media in the construction of gender. They also reflect upon the importance of digitising print media.

Please note, this episode was recorded in October 2022.

Hosted by Dr. Nathaniel Andrews.
Produced by Laura Wales.