Second Projects (History UK)

What comes after the PhD or the first book project? Like bands struggling to craft that difficult second album, many historians find it challenging to get a second project off the ground – whether that means a new area of research, funding applications, a second monograph, or all three. We all know about the pressures within higher education that make this intellectual labour so hard, but that always doesn’t stop us blaming ourselves for not fulfilling an idealised vision of the ‘right’ career path.

This in-person only event at the Institute of Historical Research is the first of a three-part series on Second Projects, with the second to be held at the University of Leeds (16 March, hosted by Sara Barker). Historians at different career stages, from those currently in the thick of second project chaos to those able to reflect with the benefit of hindsight, will share their experiences and strategies for survival. As well as hearing about how others experienced this career stage, the event will provide opportunities for discussion and reflection that will be collected in a History UK toolkit that will be launched at the third event (online, May)

Speakers: Hannah Charnock (University of Bristol), David Doddington (Cardiff University), Ria Kapoor (Queen Mary, University of London), and Claire Langhamer (Institute of Historical Research). Chair: Tracey Loughran (University of Essex).

Registration is essential. Places at this event are strictly limited and must be booked by 12 December 2025. A waitlist will be in operation if places fill up. Please contact Tracey Loughran ([email protected]) with any questions.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Institute of Historical Research (IHR), School of Advanced Study [Wolfson NB01], Malet Street, London, United Kingdom

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