Stephen Brooke
@sjbrooke.bsky.social
Historian|20th Century Britain|London
Reposted by Stephen Brooke
Some incredibly exciting news! My book about how Liverpool's history makes us think differently about Britain's past, present and future has been shortlisted for the Wolfson History Prize!
We're thrilled to announce the 2026 #WolfsonHistoryPrize shortlist, showcasing six exceptional books that explore how societies navigate periods of seismic change.
Congratulations to all the authors! 👏📚
bit.ly/4yCLe5T
Congratulations to all the authors! 👏📚
bit.ly/4yCLe5T
September 17, 2026 at 8:05 AM
Some incredibly exciting news! My book about how Liverpool's history makes us think differently about Britain's past, present and future has been shortlisted for the Wolfson History Prize!
Reposted by Stephen Brooke
It was a privilege to serve on the judging panel this year for the @wolfsonhistory.bsky.social Warmest congrats to all six authors, whose books show us how brilliant History writing can intrigue, inspire and educate, make us laugh and move us to tears. If you haven't already, read these books!
We're thrilled to announce the 2026 #WolfsonHistoryPrize shortlist, showcasing six exceptional books that explore how societies navigate periods of seismic change.
Congratulations to all the authors! 👏📚
bit.ly/4yCLe5T
Congratulations to all the authors! 👏📚
bit.ly/4yCLe5T
September 17, 2026 at 10:28 AM
It was a privilege to serve on the judging panel this year for the @wolfsonhistory.bsky.social Warmest congrats to all six authors, whose books show us how brilliant History writing can intrigue, inspire and educate, make us laugh and move us to tears. If you haven't already, read these books!
Reposted by Stephen Brooke
Huge congratulations to @samwetherell.bsky.social for his well-deserved place on the shortlist!
We're thrilled to announce the 2026 #WolfsonHistoryPrize shortlist, showcasing six exceptional books that explore how societies navigate periods of seismic change.
Congratulations to all the authors! 👏📚
bit.ly/4yCLe5T
Congratulations to all the authors! 👏📚
bit.ly/4yCLe5T
September 17, 2026 at 9:54 AM
Huge congratulations to @samwetherell.bsky.social for his well-deserved place on the shortlist!
Reposted by Stephen Brooke
Here's a new post I co-wrote with @bengjthomas.bsky.social based on an amazing sound and history event we did last year at Bristol's IC Visual Lab for the 70th anniversary of #Bandung. Diving into the music of the era was so much fun, and we historians don't seem to do it enough....Thanks Ben & HWJ!
How did global connections shape the sounds of the 1950s and 1960s in the decolonising world?
Su Lin Lewis and Ben GJ Thomas explore the relationship between music and internationalism in post-colonial Southeast Asia.
Su Lin Lewis and Ben GJ Thomas explore the relationship between music and internationalism in post-colonial Southeast Asia.
Afro-Asian Rhythms
How did global connections shape the sounds of the 1950s and 1960s in the decolonising world? Su Lin Lewis and Ben GJ Thomas explore the relationship between music and internationalism in post-colonial Southeast Asia.
www.historyworkshop.org.uk
September 8, 2026 at 8:38 PM
Here's a new post I co-wrote with @bengjthomas.bsky.social based on an amazing sound and history event we did last year at Bristol's IC Visual Lab for the 70th anniversary of #Bandung. Diving into the music of the era was so much fun, and we historians don't seem to do it enough....Thanks Ben & HWJ!
Reposted by Stephen Brooke
My article — “Black is Beautiful”: Gender, Pigmentation, and Political Blackness in Modern Britain — is now available to read! It reinserts the politics of complexion into our narratives of the Black Power and Black Women’s movements. #BlackBritishHistory
academic.oup.com/histres/adva...
academic.oup.com/histres/adva...
‘Black is beautiful’: gender, pigmentation and political blackness in modern Britain*
Abstract. By examining political literature, ephemera and oral histories, this article investigates the politics of pigmentation within the Black Power and
academic.oup.com
August 10, 2026 at 2:19 PM
My article — “Black is Beautiful”: Gender, Pigmentation, and Political Blackness in Modern Britain — is now available to read! It reinserts the politics of complexion into our narratives of the Black Power and Black Women’s movements. #BlackBritishHistory
academic.oup.com/histres/adva...
academic.oup.com/histres/adva...
Reposted by Stephen Brooke
This year's Duncan Tanner Prize is now open! If you're a PGR/ECR working on an article on modern British history do consider entering! Deadline Sept 1st. #skystorians 🗃️
academic.oup.com/tcbh/pages/e...
academic.oup.com/tcbh/pages/e...
The Duncan Tanner Prize
The Duncan Tanner Prize recognizes outstanding scholarship amongst postgraduate research students in Britain and abroad. Entrants submit an article manuscript.
academic.oup.com
August 11, 2026 at 10:21 AM
This year's Duncan Tanner Prize is now open! If you're a PGR/ECR working on an article on modern British history do consider entering! Deadline Sept 1st. #skystorians 🗃️
academic.oup.com/tcbh/pages/e...
academic.oup.com/tcbh/pages/e...
Reposted by Stephen Brooke
“Any system of control must make some small place for the dynamic, the unexpected, the downright quirky. I therefore recommend that the Headington shark be allowed to remain.” - Michael Heseltine, environment secretary.
40 years ago today, residents of Oxford awoke to find a 7.6m shark apparently crashing through the roof of broadcaster Bill Heine’s home.
Weighing 200kg & taking three months to build, #theHeadingtonshark was installed on the 41st anniversary of the Nagasaki bombing.
Weighing 200kg & taking three months to build, #theHeadingtonshark was installed on the 41st anniversary of the Nagasaki bombing.
August 9, 2026 at 9:53 PM
“Any system of control must make some small place for the dynamic, the unexpected, the downright quirky. I therefore recommend that the Headington shark be allowed to remain.” - Michael Heseltine, environment secretary.
Reposted by Stephen Brooke
Going through some of my father's papers I came across - what in my professional life I'd tout as a great archival discovery - a letter from the (unrelated, and I think not Jewish) Mandlers who sponsored my father's and his family's visas to the US in 1939, out of the goodness of their hearts. (1/3)
August 9, 2026 at 10:35 AM
Going through some of my father's papers I came across - what in my professional life I'd tout as a great archival discovery - a letter from the (unrelated, and I think not Jewish) Mandlers who sponsored my father's and his family's visas to the US in 1939, out of the goodness of their hearts. (1/3)
Reposted by Stephen Brooke
A piece by me just published in Critical Quarterly on the 'hidden history of unhappiness', from a GP's surgery in the Forest of Dean in 1966 to the present day - should be open access onlinelibrary.wiley.com/share/NITYRJ...
A Hidden History of Unhappiness
Reader environment loaded
onlinelibrary.wiley.com
August 5, 2026 at 3:30 PM
A piece by me just published in Critical Quarterly on the 'hidden history of unhappiness', from a GP's surgery in the Forest of Dean in 1966 to the present day - should be open access onlinelibrary.wiley.com/share/NITYRJ...
Reposted by Stephen Brooke
@indyhistnetwork.bsky.social The Modern British Studies Association is seeking a representative for independent scholars on our Steering Committee - please do consider joining us. Further details via this link:
modbritstud.org.uk/join/
modbritstud.org.uk/join/
August 4, 2026 at 6:07 PM
@indyhistnetwork.bsky.social The Modern British Studies Association is seeking a representative for independent scholars on our Steering Committee - please do consider joining us. Further details via this link:
modbritstud.org.uk/join/
modbritstud.org.uk/join/
Reposted by Stephen Brooke
U.S. publication day for A History of England in Twenty-Five Poems, with Pegasus Books. 🎉🎉 They picked a different author photo - looking suitably studious... www.simonandschuster.com/books/A-Hist...
August 4, 2026 at 2:42 PM
U.S. publication day for A History of England in Twenty-Five Poems, with Pegasus Books. 🎉🎉 They picked a different author photo - looking suitably studious... www.simonandschuster.com/books/A-Hist...
Reposted by Stephen Brooke
What can photographs tell us about anti-racist activism in twentieth-century London?
Julian Ehsan on recording community histories through the Bengali Photo Archive and the extraordinary work of Lloyd Gee.
Julian Ehsan on recording community histories through the Bengali Photo Archive and the extraordinary work of Lloyd Gee.
Activism, Identity, and the Bengali Photo Archive
What can photographs tell us about anti-racist activism in twentieth-century London? Julian Ehsan on the Bengali Photo Archive.
www.historyworkshop.org.uk
August 4, 2026 at 6:00 AM
What can photographs tell us about anti-racist activism in twentieth-century London?
Julian Ehsan on recording community histories through the Bengali Photo Archive and the extraordinary work of Lloyd Gee.
Julian Ehsan on recording community histories through the Bengali Photo Archive and the extraordinary work of Lloyd Gee.
Reposted by Stephen Brooke
“‘Manchester’ has been a metonym at least twice in the last two hundred years, escaping the orbit of a more generalised ‘North’.”
I explore the achievements and failures of the current Manchester model.
I explore the achievements and failures of the current Manchester model.
‘Between 2015 and 2024, nearly a billion pounds of public money was lent on favourable terms to developers who built almost no affordable housing – almost two-thirds of it to one company.’
@harrystopes.bsky.social on Manchester, new on the blog.
www.lrb.co.uk/blog/2026/au...
@harrystopes.bsky.social on Manchester, new on the blog.
www.lrb.co.uk/blog/2026/au...
Harry Stopes | Manchesterisms
Bev Craig, leader of Manchester City Council before she was comfortably elected last week to replace Andy Burnham as...
www.lrb.co.uk
August 3, 2026 at 4:28 PM
“‘Manchester’ has been a metonym at least twice in the last two hundred years, escaping the orbit of a more generalised ‘North’.”
I explore the achievements and failures of the current Manchester model.
I explore the achievements and failures of the current Manchester model.
Reposted by Stephen Brooke
On advance access "The Political Crisis of British Keynesianism, 1973–1983"
by @colmpm.bsky.social (@qmpoliticsir.bsky.social)
#OpenAccess
doi.org/10.1093/past...
by @colmpm.bsky.social (@qmpoliticsir.bsky.social)
#OpenAccess
doi.org/10.1093/past...
August 4, 2026 at 10:40 AM
On advance access "The Political Crisis of British Keynesianism, 1973–1983"
by @colmpm.bsky.social (@qmpoliticsir.bsky.social)
#OpenAccess
doi.org/10.1093/past...
by @colmpm.bsky.social (@qmpoliticsir.bsky.social)
#OpenAccess
doi.org/10.1093/past...
Reposted by Stephen Brooke
In late 2023, the Society spent a day with Hertfordshire’s historians. We saw the quality, creativity and distinctiveness of teaching, research and engagement. We were told by a (now departed) senior manager that History was ‘a portfolio the university will guard very carefully’. bit.ly/4hLediN
So it's farewell to the History subject area at the University of Hertfordshire, not the first nor the last to go. One of the best departments in the country, just extinguished like a snap of the fingers. Think of the waste. (1/2)
August 2, 2026 at 7:27 PM
In late 2023, the Society spent a day with Hertfordshire’s historians. We saw the quality, creativity and distinctiveness of teaching, research and engagement. We were told by a (now departed) senior manager that History was ‘a portfolio the university will guard very carefully’. bit.ly/4hLediN
Reposted by Stephen Brooke
🥳 Happy to report our co-ed collection, me + @ruthdav.bsky.social & @evecolpus.bsky.social, now has 40k+ hits & is being cited a lot 🥳. Fully #OA & incl: @katebradleyhistory.bsky.social @chrismillard83.bsky.social @sarahcrook.bsky.social @jennycrane.bsky.social ++.
link.springer.com/book/10.1007...
link.springer.com/book/10.1007...
August 2, 2026 at 2:06 PM
🥳 Happy to report our co-ed collection, me + @ruthdav.bsky.social & @evecolpus.bsky.social, now has 40k+ hits & is being cited a lot 🥳. Fully #OA & incl: @katebradleyhistory.bsky.social @chrismillard83.bsky.social @sarahcrook.bsky.social @jennycrane.bsky.social ++.
link.springer.com/book/10.1007...
link.springer.com/book/10.1007...
Reposted by Stephen Brooke
"Details, in their singularity and idiosyncrasy, point to the capaciousness of human experience."
New today in the Society's journal 'Transactions': Joe Moran 'On Detail in Historical Writing': bit.ly/44UMi8C Now available OA
@joemoransblog.bsky.social @massobsarchive.bsky.social #Skystorians 1/2
New today in the Society's journal 'Transactions': Joe Moran 'On Detail in Historical Writing': bit.ly/44UMi8C Now available OA
@joemoransblog.bsky.social @massobsarchive.bsky.social #Skystorians 1/2
July 31, 2026 at 9:06 AM
"Details, in their singularity and idiosyncrasy, point to the capaciousness of human experience."
New today in the Society's journal 'Transactions': Joe Moran 'On Detail in Historical Writing': bit.ly/44UMi8C Now available OA
@joemoransblog.bsky.social @massobsarchive.bsky.social #Skystorians 1/2
New today in the Society's journal 'Transactions': Joe Moran 'On Detail in Historical Writing': bit.ly/44UMi8C Now available OA
@joemoransblog.bsky.social @massobsarchive.bsky.social #Skystorians 1/2
Reposted by Stephen Brooke
📢New article in JBS!
📗"Killer Dust in the Classroom: Asbestos in Schools and the Urban-Environmental Politics of Risk in 1980s London" by Adam Page
Open access here: www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
📗"Killer Dust in the Classroom: Asbestos in Schools and the Urban-Environmental Politics of Risk in 1980s London" by Adam Page
Open access here: www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
Killer Dust in the Classroom: Asbestos in Schools and the Urban-Environmental Politics of Risk in 1980s London | Journal of British Studies | Cambridge Core
Killer Dust in the Classroom: Asbestos in Schools and the Urban-Environmental Politics of Risk in 1980s London - Volume 65
www.cambridge.org
July 21, 2026 at 5:17 PM
📢New article in JBS!
📗"Killer Dust in the Classroom: Asbestos in Schools and the Urban-Environmental Politics of Risk in 1980s London" by Adam Page
Open access here: www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
📗"Killer Dust in the Classroom: Asbestos in Schools and the Urban-Environmental Politics of Risk in 1980s London" by Adam Page
Open access here: www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
Reposted by Stephen Brooke
"And I’ve thought about this, and the answer is yes. I will still be a historian. Because being a historian is about how you engage with the world, it’s about being curious about the people and the environment around you, and asking questions about it'.
3/
3/
July 24, 2026 at 7:27 AM
"And I’ve thought about this, and the answer is yes. I will still be a historian. Because being a historian is about how you engage with the world, it’s about being curious about the people and the environment around you, and asking questions about it'.
3/
3/
Reposted by Stephen Brooke
This is a gentle reminder that the magnificent William Whyte will be giving this year's Modern British History Pimlott Memorial Lecture on 6 October at KCL. Do reserve a place here and join us for the wine reception that follows www.tickettailor.com/events/kings...
Select tickets – The Ben Pimlott Memorial Lecture 2026 - William Whyte: The Future of National Biography – Council Room, Strand Campus, King's College London
The Ben Pimlott Memorial Lecture 2026 - William Whyte: The Future of National Biography – Council Room, Strand Campus, King's College London, Tue 6 Oct 2026 - The Ben Pimlott Memorial Lecture 2026 - W...
www.tickettailor.com
July 7, 2026 at 12:59 PM
This is a gentle reminder that the magnificent William Whyte will be giving this year's Modern British History Pimlott Memorial Lecture on 6 October at KCL. Do reserve a place here and join us for the wine reception that follows www.tickettailor.com/events/kings...
Reposted by Stephen Brooke
My new book, An Injury to All: The Unmaking of the British Working Class, is coming out in October. You can preorder it from Waterstones with a 25% discount today and tomorrow!
Place your order here ⬇️
www.waterstones.com/book/an-inju...
Place your order here ⬇️
www.waterstones.com/book/an-inju...
July 23, 2026 at 12:27 PM
My new book, An Injury to All: The Unmaking of the British Working Class, is coming out in October. You can preorder it from Waterstones with a 25% discount today and tomorrow!
Place your order here ⬇️
www.waterstones.com/book/an-inju...
Place your order here ⬇️
www.waterstones.com/book/an-inju...
Reposted by Stephen Brooke
Why 7 prime ministers in 10 years is nothing new for the UK🔎
History Faculty Chair @lucydelap.bsky.social speaks to Kiran Moodley on Channel 4 News’ FourSight as they explore 3 forces that have helped drive Britain's revolving door at No.10 for two centuries. Also with @robertsaunders.bsky.social ⬇️
History Faculty Chair @lucydelap.bsky.social speaks to Kiran Moodley on Channel 4 News’ FourSight as they explore 3 forces that have helped drive Britain's revolving door at No.10 for two centuries. Also with @robertsaunders.bsky.social ⬇️
What UK history really tells us about changing prime ministers
Andy Burnham is set to become the UK’s seventh prime minister in 10 years. But there have been other periods when leaders changed frequently, writes Kiran Moodley.
Read the full newsletter:
Andy Burnham is set to become the UK’s seventh prime minister in 10 years. But there have been other periods when leaders changed frequently, writes Kiran Moodley.
Read the full newsletter:
What UK history really tells us about changing prime ministers
Andy Burnham is set to become the UK’s seventh prime minister in 10 years. But there have been other periods when leaders changed frequently, writes Kiran Moodley.
channel4news.substack.com
July 20, 2026 at 4:24 PM
Why 7 prime ministers in 10 years is nothing new for the UK🔎
History Faculty Chair @lucydelap.bsky.social speaks to Kiran Moodley on Channel 4 News’ FourSight as they explore 3 forces that have helped drive Britain's revolving door at No.10 for two centuries. Also with @robertsaunders.bsky.social ⬇️
History Faculty Chair @lucydelap.bsky.social speaks to Kiran Moodley on Channel 4 News’ FourSight as they explore 3 forces that have helped drive Britain's revolving door at No.10 for two centuries. Also with @robertsaunders.bsky.social ⬇️
Reposted by Stephen Brooke
We're delighted to announce that Somak Biswas has won the MBSA Early Career Prize for best presentation at #MBS2026, for a paper entitled ‘AIDS & the Racialisation of Mobility: Britain, 1985-1995’.
The judges also highly commended Rebecca Orr & Naomi Samake-Bäckert
modbritstud.org.uk/events-awards/
The judges also highly commended Rebecca Orr & Naomi Samake-Bäckert
modbritstud.org.uk/events-awards/
Events & Prizes - The Modern British Studies Association
Explore our annual conference, prizes & early career awards. Join scholars sharing research on modern Britain.
modbritstud.org.uk
July 23, 2026 at 11:55 AM
We're delighted to announce that Somak Biswas has won the MBSA Early Career Prize for best presentation at #MBS2026, for a paper entitled ‘AIDS & the Racialisation of Mobility: Britain, 1985-1995’.
The judges also highly commended Rebecca Orr & Naomi Samake-Bäckert
modbritstud.org.uk/events-awards/
The judges also highly commended Rebecca Orr & Naomi Samake-Bäckert
modbritstud.org.uk/events-awards/
Reposted by Stephen Brooke
EVENT: Join C20 and author Hazel Atashroo as she introduces her new book ‘London’s Ours! Images From The Greater London Council 1981–1986’, in conversation with Rosamund Lily West.
🗓️ Wed 2 Sep 2026, 6.30pm
📍 Cowcross St Gallery, London + Online
🎟️ tickets: secure.c20society.org.uk/Default.aspx...
🗓️ Wed 2 Sep 2026, 6.30pm
📍 Cowcross St Gallery, London + Online
🎟️ tickets: secure.c20society.org.uk/Default.aspx...
July 22, 2026 at 12:20 PM
EVENT: Join C20 and author Hazel Atashroo as she introduces her new book ‘London’s Ours! Images From The Greater London Council 1981–1986’, in conversation with Rosamund Lily West.
🗓️ Wed 2 Sep 2026, 6.30pm
📍 Cowcross St Gallery, London + Online
🎟️ tickets: secure.c20society.org.uk/Default.aspx...
🗓️ Wed 2 Sep 2026, 6.30pm
📍 Cowcross St Gallery, London + Online
🎟️ tickets: secure.c20society.org.uk/Default.aspx...
Reposted by Stephen Brooke
Lovely lecture by my fab colleague Adam Chapman on the VCH: ‘Part of the project’s role should be to advocate for archives that speak to
their places and communities.’
their places and communities.’
Archives | Most Read
'The Maurice Bond Lecture 2024. Placing Archives: The Victoria County History and Archival Landscapes' by @adamchapman.bsky.social
➡️ Read it online: bit.ly/Archives-Chapman
@internetarchiveca.bsky.social @araukie.bsky.social @humanitiesall.bsky.social @britrecs.bsky.social
'The Maurice Bond Lecture 2024. Placing Archives: The Victoria County History and Archival Landscapes' by @adamchapman.bsky.social
➡️ Read it online: bit.ly/Archives-Chapman
@internetarchiveca.bsky.social @araukie.bsky.social @humanitiesall.bsky.social @britrecs.bsky.social
July 21, 2026 at 6:38 PM
Lovely lecture by my fab colleague Adam Chapman on the VCH: ‘Part of the project’s role should be to advocate for archives that speak to
their places and communities.’
their places and communities.’