Otis Blaize

🚨 History teachers, we’re back! 🚨

Join us on 7 Feb 2026 for a day of workshops and a nice curry – all for £25.

Ten years after the ‘knowledge turn’, we’re exploring what knowledge-rich history teaching looks like today.

Presenters & link below 👇

We have curated a record-breaking NINE workshops for secondary teachers, covering a huge range of topics. You won't be surprised that we have an awesome roster of presenters including @fredoxby.bsky.social @petejackson.bsky.social @missrcarter89.bsky.social @oblaize.bsky.social

Looking further forward we host our Developing Teachers' Conference on January 31 2026: We will have 9 secondary workshops and 3 primary workshops featuring legends like @mr-s-tiffany.bsky.social @oblaize.bsky.social @missrcarter89.bsky.social & @msquinnhistory.bsky.social. Tickets on sale v soon!

Big thanks to the @1972shp.bsky.social family for a brilliant #SHP25 conference. Really enjoyed working with @oblaize.bsky.social and everyone who joined our session on Nigeria 1950-1980, Fela Kuti et al. We 'waka, waka, waka' till #SHP26!

Robin Whitburn Abdul Mohamud and @oblaize.bsky.social discussing the start of the Biafran war in their investigation into post-colonial Nigeria #SHP25

Listen to @oblaize.bsky.social he knows what he's talking about! Come and join Otis and Justice2History for their workshop on Decolonisation and the British Empire. Tickets available here SHP Summer Conference 2025 | Leeds Trinity University Online Store share.google/6BoMprddy3g1...

Really looking forward to #SHP25 this year. The line up looks great!

Undoing the Work of the Windrush Narrative In light of the recent "Windrush scandal", Kennetta Hammond Perry asks what aspects of British history are extolled, and which facets remain illegible in popular renditions of the Windrush narrative - and offers up alternative "usable…

Today is Windrush Day, commemorating the contribution of Caribbean migrants to Britain's post-ward economy, culture and society.

From the archive, Kennetta Hammond Perry @kennettaperry.bsky.social on critiquing and re-assessing the Windrush Narrative:

www.historyworkshop....

If you want to understand the background to the conflict in Iran, check out our @empirepoduk.bsky.social series on the history of Iran & the Iranian Revolution.

From the rise of Cyrus...
podcasts.apple.com/az/podcast/9...

... to the Fall of the Shah:

podcasts.apple.com/az/podcast/1...

British spy's account sheds light on role in 1953 Iranian coup Interview given by MI6 officer in 1980s was discovered in research for new documentary

How Britain brought about regime change in Iran in 1953: by overthrowing a democratically elected government in favour of an autocracy after it threatened to nationalise Anglo-Iranian Oil (later BP) & use the revenue to benefit Iranians.

www.theguardian.com/world/2020/a...

Just finished The Hundred Years’ War on Palestine by Rashid Khalidi.

Essential reading for understanding the history of the Palestinian struggle.

The Soweto Uprising and South African Exile in Socialist Tanzania How did Tanzanian socialist ideas shape the anti-apartheid struggle in the 1970s? Yasmina Martin connects two traditions of African liberation through the ANC's projects of 'self-reliance' in exile.

OTD 1976, students led the Soweto Uprising in South Africa.

A recent one from the archive, @yasmartin.bsky.social explores the links between Tanzanian socialism and the anti-apartheid struggle in exile.

www.historyworkshop....

UK Black with Ngunan Adamu - 23/05/2025 - BBC Sounds Music, good vibes and stories from our African and Caribbean communities.

www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...

Transatlantic slavery. 4 teachers on the Radio talking about our book. Start 1 hour 11 mins in. @richkhistory.bsky.social @historyrichk.bsky.social @carmelbones.bsky.social @oblaize.bsky.social @drmirandakaufmann.bsky.social

On Malcolm X’s 100th birthday, here’s some books I’ve read recently that have shaped my understanding of his life and legacy.

Such an interesting story. There’s a great section about him in the Black Lives in Britain book by @justice2history.bsky.social

Agreed. Have seen enquiries boiled down to information processing and memory testing.

Thanks for writing & sharing, it’s much needed.

Really interesting read. The need for a reset on historical enquiries.

Recently finished listening to Zeinab Badawi’s book on Audible - a great overview for anyone interested in African history.

#OtD 13 May 1949 radical African-American singer and actor Paul Robeson visited Woolmet colliery near Edinburgh. After meeting miners and unionists, he performed "I dreamed I saw Joe Hill last night" stories.workingclasshistory.com/article/8505/paul-robeson-at-...

So excited about @1972shp.bsky.social #SHP25. So many brilliant workshops over 3 fantastic days of #historyteacher goodness. Join us for great history and great company PLUS included lunch, coffee and dinner!!
www.schoolshistoryproject.co.uk/summerconf/

SLT friendly flyer attached too!!

Looking forward to getting a copy of this! Important work on the impact of transatlantic slavery and Liverpool’s role in it.

MASSIVE thanks from me and Katie to all the brilliant teachers who wrote... @cpalmerhistory.bsky.social Eoin Gallagher, Sorcha O'Callaghan, Dan Procter, Sherlon Atkins, @johnhough.bsky.social, Rebecca Chadwick. Out early May @katieamery.bsky.social pls rt

146: History - Liverpool and Transatlantic Slavery with Colin McCormick North and South Podcasts · Episode

open.spotify.com/episode/15Pm... If anyone is interested in listening to two history teachers talk about Liverpool, slavery and our forthcoming book tune in.

Thank you!

Thank you for sharing. I will have a read tomorrow. I agree, being a history teacher is the best job! Couldn’t imagine doing anything else.

A pleasure. I attach a blog post. You don't have to read it; but sometimes, as a history teacher, I thought I had the best job in Scotland.
georgehharris.blogspot.com/2016/09/teac...

Thank you!

Thank you!

Thank you!

Graduation day. MSc in Learning and Teaching from the University of Oxford. 🎓