Megan Schlanker

British Brute and Benevolence: An Investigation into the Use of Colonial Violence and the Mystique of Anti-British Racism during British Imperialism in relation to The Baptist War (1831-2) and the Mor... This session will explore how Britain sustained imperial power by masking colonial violence with a mystique of anti-racism, reframing brutality as humanitarian progress.

This event is taking place online, so use the link below for more information and to book your place! We hope to see you there for this fantastic talk!

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www.history.ac.uk/news-events/...

History Lab Presents "British brute and Benevolence: An Investigation into the use of Colonial Violence and the Mystique of Anti-British Racism During British Imperialism in Relation to the Baptist War (1831-1) and the Morant Bay Rebellion (1865) by Tawana Kunaka. 2nd October, 5.45pm-7pm, online via Zoom. Tawana Kunaka holds a BA in History and Politics from the University of Liverpool. She is now pursuing an MA in Contemporary British History at King’s College London, focusing on the impact of colonialism on Britain and its influence on racialised perceptions of immigrants and non-white Britons. In 2025, she presented at the Lancaster Postgraduate Conference on her paper ‘Stella Dadzie and the Significance of experience on the Black radical tradition’. Tawana’s research seeks to contribute as a progressive force in academia, using historical inquiry not only to understand the past but also to envision more equitable futures.

This research investigates the role of colonial violence and the mystique of British anti-racism in sustaining imperial authority. Popular memory of the British Empire often omits the violence found within the colonial period, instead Britain is often presented as a benevolent power committed to justice and humanitarian progress. By using Perry’s conception of the ‘mystique of British anti-racism’, this study examines how such myths were constructed and maintained despite repeated episodes of colonial brutality.

Our first seminar of the academic year is taking place on Thursday 2nd October! 🤩 Tawana Kunaka will be presenting her research titled British Brute and Benevolence which investigates the role of colonial violence and the mystique of British anti-racism in sustaining imperial authority.

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Are you an archaeologist in the early stages of your career and looking for ways to get involved, meet people and help shape the profession?

Have you thought about standing as Chair of CIfA’s Early Careers Group?

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Migration and Mobility History Call for Papers: IHR History Lab and Migration and Mobility Seminar Taking place at the IHR Senate House and online, 10th February 2026, 5.30pm-7.30pm. The IHR History Lab and Migration and Mobility are coming together for a special edition of our seminar series to showcase the work of PGRs and ECRs working on migration and mobility history. We invite submissions of 20 minute papers from PGRs and ECRs on the topic of migration and mobility (broadly defined), focusing on any period or place. This is an opportunity to share your research with, and recieve feedback from, established and emerging scholars working on migration and mobility studies. To apply, send abstracts of under 250 words, with a short bio, to Kathleen Commons at kabcommons@gmail.com by 5pm on 15th November.

Migration and Mobility History About the Seminars History Lab is the national network for postgraduate students in history and related disciplines. Based at the Institute of Historical Research, it serves as an intellectual and social forum that connects, empowers, and supports the postgraduate community. The IHR Migration and Mobility seminar provides a space for historians and scholars from other disciplines to come together to discuss migration and mobility in history. The seminar seeks to attract papers on a diverse range of themes and periods in migration and mobility history, including the emerging field of pre-modern migration histories, and histories of migration within the Global South. We will take an interdisciplinary approach, working with sociologists, legal scholars, and geographers with an interest in historical migration and mobility. if you have any queries about this seminar, contact Kathleen at kabcommons@gmail.com

📢 New Seminar Series!

We are thrilled to be working alongside @ihr.bsky.social on a brand new seminar series titled Migration and Mobility. We are coming together for a special edition of the seminar to showcase the work of PGRs and ECRs on migration and mobility history (1/3)

History Lab Call for Papers: History Lab Seminar Series 2025/26. Topics of interest: - 40 minute papers on any period or aspect of historical study. - themed panels of two 20 minute papers, or three 10-15 minute papers. - papers from all UK-based Postgraduate Researchers - We welcome first-time presenters and innovative presentation styles including panels, poster presentations, and more. All submissions will be rigorously reviewed by our team to ensure quality, innovation, and relevance. Abstracts accepted on a rolling basis - apply anytime! Online, Thursdays from 5.30pm. Autumn term: 2nd October to 11th December Winter Term: 22nd January - 30th March Spring Term: 16th April - 25th June

Submission Requirements: - Abstracts of 250-350 words detailing research, objectives, methodology, and key findings. - Five keywords outlining your research interests. - A personal biography of approximately 100 words (one for each person for group panels) and social media handles if applicable. To apply, scan the QR code or use the link in the below post. Institute of Historical Research. Seminar Convenors include Megan Schlanker (University of Lincoln), Joe Colm Jones and Patrick O'Dare (Queen Mary's University, London).

📢 Happy September and welcome to the start of a new academic year! What better way to start off 2025/26 as a history PGR than to apply for our bi-weekly seminar series? 💻👩‍🏫

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Photograph of Professor Neil Forbes delivering his keynote speech titled about the twentieth century after the First World War.

Photograph of History Lab conference programmes and Royal Historical Society bookmarks, leaflets and badges.

Our conference has kicked off! We were welcomed by History Lab's Chair @thomascryer.bsky.social, Director of @ihr.bsky.social @clairelanghamer.bsky.social, and Professor Neil Forbes from Coventry University who is delivering his keynote speech 👨‍🏫

Don't forget that you can join us online! 💻

📢 2 days to go!

We can't wait to see everyone at our annual conference either in-person or online! 💻

In-person tickets are sold out but you can still sign up to join us online for the entire day! Use the link below to register...

www.history.ac.uk/news-events/...

I'm honestly surprised it hasn't (but maybe they haven't found the right Welsh quarry to represent ancient Greece yet)

Looking forward to the Student and Early Career Conference next week! It's online and there's a great line up of speakers

100% - the clockwork robot vibes are strong

Graphic displaying several symbols, such as gears, a map and two hands shaking, making a heart shape. Text reads 'CBA Festival of Archaeology 2025, Archaeology and Wellbeing'.

Get ready for the @archaeologyuk.bsky.social #FestivalOfArchaeology, which launches on Saturday 19th July!

This year's theme is 'Archaeology and Wellbeing'. Check out all the great events going on across the UK: www.archaeologyuk.org/festival.htm...

@socialhistsoc.bsky.social thank you for a brilliant few days!

You've been a brilliant PGR rep! Thank you for all the work you put into the role!

First session of the final day of #SHSConf2025 - heritage and representation

Highlights from the 1st day of #SHSConf2025
✨️ Telling Inclusive Stories tour of BCLM
✨️ A panel on marginalised communities and social networks, held on site at the pub (unfortunately not pictured)
✨️ Plenary on material culture
✨️ Chippy tea, fairground rides, and games 🎠
✨️ Pub quiz bronze! 🥉🎉

Big thank you to Tash and @louisebell.bsky.social for the photos, especially as I seemed determined to hide behind that laptop

It's the end of a brilliant second day at #SHSConf2025! It was such a treat to get to present my research on living history as an educational tool at @bclivingmuseum.bsky.social, and to work with Kate Hill, @natashaanson.bsky.social and Carys Tyson-Taylor to bring this panel together

Thank you for being a part of the panel and sharing such a wonderful paper! It's been a joy to work together on this!

Applications for History Lab's 2025-26 Committee

📢 CALL FOR NEW COMMITTEE MEMBERS! 📢

History Lab warmly invites applications for its 2025-2026 Committee. History Lab is the national body, hosted at the @ihr.bsky.social, which represents over 1,500 graduate students of history across the UK.

Keep on reading for the available roles and deadline!

I spent an inspiring few days in Lancaster for the 30th Anniversary of @l-h-p-c.bsky.social - thank you to everyone who came along to hear me speak on museum education in times of crisis, to all the incredible speakers, and to the conference organisers for doing such a wonderful job!

Auditorium stage with 7 panel members and large display screen showing the opening slide of the Study Group for Roman Pottery presentation with the title, Crossing the Divide: not just empty vessels but the glue that binds a fragmented profession?

Really enjoyed #CIfA2025 and especially the 'Crossing the Divide' session where it was great to represent the Study Group for Roman Pottery www.romanpotterystudy.org.uk (on FB and IG, not here yet) #archaeology #pottery #roman @cifa-ec.bsky.social

⏰Just one week to go before we reach our extended submission deadline of May 6th for LHPC 2025!⏰

Scan the QR code below or follow the link to submit your abstract!

www.epoch-magazine.com/news/lhpc-2025

Poster text:LSHH 2025 Postgraduate Research Symposium & Public Lecture. Wednesday 7th May, 3pm - 6.30pm, Co-Op Lecture Theatre (MB0312). This showcase provides a platform for LSHH PGR (PhD) students to present papers on their research, and this year the event will also feature a keynote lecture in association with the Nineteenth Century Research Group: Professor Roger Ebbatson (Lancaster University) - 'Ever the Road: Hardy and Edward Thomas'. This event is free and open to the public, and all levels of students are encouraged to attend. We look forward to seeing you there. For any queries, please contact Rebecca Shipp, PGR Lead, at rshipp@lincoln.ac.uk.

Lincoln's fantastic C19 Research Group PGR Rep, Rebecca Shipp, is organising this year's PGR Symposium, featuring a keynote lecture from Prof. Roger Ebbatson: 'Ever the Road: Hardy and Edward Thomas'. All welcome, free to attend. Weds 7th May, Brayford Campus, MB0312. Full programme to come soon!

Don't forget to apply for a bursary if you would like to attend CIfA2025 and are facing financial barriers!

Submission date is 31 March, but may close earlier if all places are filled.

If so, you are invited to be interviewed for a PhD research project focusing on museum education and children’s provision in museums in the twentieth century. 
If you are happy to be interviewed for this research, please contact Megan Schlanker at mschlanker@lincoln.ac.uk for more information.

Did you work as a teacher, museum education professional, or another museum professional with educational responsibilities at any point prior to 2000?

📢History Lab annual conference update!

We are thrilled to announce Neil Forbes as our keynote speaker for our annual conference in July 2025!

To find out more about Neil's research and our ongoing #cfp, please keep on reading...✍️📚🗓️📃(1/4)

Hi, I'm Megan! I'm a Graduate Teaching Fellow and PhD Researcher studying provision for children in twentieth century museums - I have a background in archaeology, I'm passionate about encouraging inclusion in heritage and archaeology, and am an #ActuallyAutistic neurodiversity advocate