Greetings from Sardinia Street where we are now half-way through Lent Term, and Spring is just around the corner. There's a definite feeling of optimism in the air and, although some restrictions such as mask wearing and testing, will be in place for a while to come, it does feel like Covid is in retreat, and wee are hoping we'll be able to have a face-to-face reception for our students in the department in March (to make up for the cancelled Christmas Party)
We are now back to in-person teaching and, while still not as buzzy as 'normal', there are more students around and it feel like a campus should do. After two years lecturing into a camera to an audience of black zoom windows, seeing the faces of students while you teach them is an enormous pleasure.
Since our last contact, Sam Betteridge, Ziang Liu, Hanzhi Deng, and Simon Hinrichsen have all successfully completed their PhDs. We wish them every success in their future careers.
The Department continues to collaborate with the wider LSE community. Recently, Matthew Purcell, recipient of the inaugural Alumni and Friends of Economic History PhD Scholarship, was featured as part of the Shaping the World Campaign. While Leigh Gardner's work, which challenges conventional thought on Africa's economic development, was highlighted as part of the Research for the World initiative.
The last few months have seen a series of international economic developments that have put an even greater premium on understanding the economic past. The reappearance of inflation across most of the world's economies is leading to a revival of interest in how earlier periods of wage and price pressure were resolved. It is a context in which our new MSc in Financial History has obvious relevance.
In this edition of the newsletter, we bring you up-to-date on what has been happening with us - we said goodbye to Loraine Long (the PhD Administrator) who retired after more than 10 years with the Department, and hello to almost a classful of new babies (see news). Our student competitions were as popular as ever, and you can find out more and meet the winners here.
Over Michaelmas Term and the first half of Lent Term, we've had some great events. You can find out how to watch the recordings and sign-up for upcoming events (here). Please do put the Epstein Lecture in your diary - 10th March at 6pm. Registration opens on 17th February.
Our profile this edition is of Theo Barker, who taught British Labour History in the Department until his retirement in 1983. Colin Lewis, Emeritus Professor of Economic History, recalls Theo's time in the Department and looks at his legacy in Red Lion Square.
Please do stay in touch - we'd love to know what you've been up to.