Contemporary History

The Department of Political Economy offers a wide range of supervisor expertise in politics and contemporary history, including politics, government, foreign policy and diplomacy, economics, law, and social history. The 20 current students working with these supervisors are researching subjects including voluntary action, the monarchy, Britain and Northern Ireland, and representations of women in museums, taking full advantage of the rich archives available in and near London.

Studying both part-time and full-time, they form a vibrant and lively student body, participating in the seminars, conferences, and events organised by the department including an annual research workshop for students at Cumberland Lodge. Students organise a regular reading group for PhD students interested in this area, as well as occasional conferences on relevant subjects. Supervisors are also co-conveners of IHR seminars on Contemporary British History, International History, and British History 1815-1945 and all students are encouraged to attend the most appropriate one for their studies as well as attending King's seminars in the History department and elsewhere and contributing to these.