Latest news about the Department and its members, such as new appointments, publications, book launches, awards, speaking engagements, media coverage and standings in world and national ranks. We are also on social media. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.
Latest news
LSE Fellow in the history of Late Imperial China position open
The International History Department is seeking to make an appointment for an LSE Fellow with expertise in the history of Late Imperial China.
Commencing in September 2023, role holder will be expected to teach HY330 From Tea to Opium: China and the Global Market in the Long Eighteenth Century. Other teaching duties for this role may also cover courses such as HY489 China and the External World, 1644-1839; HY4B4 Maritime Asia in Transition, 1405-1839 and assist with HY4A4 (Dissertation module) with an Asian focus as well as other courses.
Apply now
LSE Fellow in the history of the Cold War position open
The International History Department is seeking to make an appointment for an LSE Fellow with expertise in the history of the Cold War.
Commencing in September 2023, role holder will be expected to teach teach HY206 The International History of the Cold War, 1945-1989 and HY320 The Cold War Endgame, as well as other courses in the next academic session.
Apply now
Crafting a nation, fishing for power
Dr. Po has published an article in Modern Asian Studies entitled "Crafting a Nation, Fishing for Power: The Universal Exposition of 1906 and Fisheries Governance in Late Qing China." In it, he argued that the 1906 Universal Exposition hosted in Milan was a defining moment for the late Qing in terms of its fisheries development.
Read the article.
Blundering on the Brink
In his new article in Foreign Affairs with Sergey Radchenko, LSE historian Vladislav Zubok revises the canonical analysis of the Soviet conduct before and during the Cuban Missile Crisis by drawing on the newly declassified batch of documents from the Russian general staff. Some of the 1962 history rhymes powerfully with Russia's modus operandi in Ukraine.
Read the article.
New article in the Transactions of the Royal Historical Society journal
Paul Stock's new article, 'The Idea of Asia in British Geographical Thought, 1652–1832', explores how ordinary literate people understood Asian peoples and places from the mid-seventeenth century to the early nineteenth century. It is available to download for free from the publisher's website.
Read the article.
Dr. Po awarded the Global Research Fund
We are pleased to announce that Dr. Po has been awarded the Global Research Fund. This funding is a new LSE pilot scheme supporting collaborative endeavours between LSE faculty and their nominated international research partners.
New essay by Professor Spohr in a recently published book
Professor Kristina Spohr has published an essay entitled "The Baltic States, Russia and Europe's order 1917-1991-2022". In Charles Clarke's important new edited volume "Understanding the Baltic States", Hurst Publishers 2023.
Read the essay.
Historical documentary appearance on Iranian TV
Dr Roham Alvandi appears in a new five-part documentary series for Manoto television on Amir Abbas Hoveyda, Iran's prime minister from 1965 to 1977.
Watch the series.
A Ukrainian Garden Tells the Story of a Violated Country
Dina Gusejnova wrote a piece in New Lines Magazine on the anniversary of Russia's full-scale attack on Ukraine. In it she explores how an award-winning garden at a flower show explores and evokes the horror of war for Ukrainians and Russians alike.
Read the article.
The war in Ukraine, one year on roundtable
On the first anniversary of Russia invasion of Ukraine the Cold War History journal has published a timely roundtable on the War, including an essay by Professor Kristina Spohr. Revealing the myths and realities in Putin’s historical narratives.
Read the essay.
The Political Role of the Historian
Arguing that debates about history have never been strictly confined to the world of scholarship. Dr David Motadel explores a historian's relationship with their scholarly work and their involvement in political debates.
Read the article.
Professor Prazmowska appeared on The Forum podcast
Debating the Polish Soviet war along with other distinguished academics. Professor Anita Prazmowska took part in an episode of The Forum.
Listen to the recording.
Our PhD alumnus wins 2022 British International History Group Michael L. Dockrill Thesis Prize
Very proud of Dr Hamish McDougall, our PhD graduate that has won the 2022 British International History Group Michael Dockrill prize. Our graduates always amaze us with what they go on to do.
Read Hamish's award winning thesis completed in our Department in 2021.
The Qing Empire and its Offshore Islands
Dr. Po will be giving a talk entitled "The Qing Empire and Its Offshore Island During the Long Eighteenth Century" that examines island management in early modern China at the University of Oxford China Centre on the 16th February at 5pm.
Find out how to attend.
Dr Roham Alvandi commented in the Washington Post
As the Islamic Republic carry out a broad crackdown on months of protests in Iran, the Washington Post quoted Dr Roham Alvandi as saying, "Only a regime that is weak and terrified of its own people would jail a young couple for dancing”.
Read the article.
Dr Tanya Harmer appointed Visiting Professor in Chile
We are pleased to share that Dr Tanya Harmer has been appointed as a Visiting Professor at the Universidad Católica de Chile's Institute of History. Starting in March, she will be teaching a new postgraduate course Mobility, Migration and Refuge in Americas during the Cold War.
Find out more.
Dr. Po contributed a chapter to The Cambridge History of the Pacific Ocean.
Entitled "China and the Sea in Literature and (Mis)Perception, 1644-1839", the chapter focuses on concepts such as the evolution of indigenous maritime cultures after colonization, and the disruptive arrival of Europeans.
Read the chapter.
Undisciplined Youth and Moral Panic in Independent India
Our Visting Fellow Dr Tom Wilkinson has published a paper arguing that the figure of the 'undisciplined youth' is key to understanding early independent India. He draws upon Stanley Cohen's moral panic theory to explain this discourse.
Read the paper.
Coups and the Cold War Era with Dr. Roham Alvandi
Dr Roham Alvandi sat down with Elisa Poteat of the American Bar Association's 'National Security Law Today' podcast to discuss the history of US-Iran relations and the unfolding revolution in Iran.
Listen to the recording.
The Invention of Russia
Our distinguished Emeritus Professor Janet Hartley appeared on a recent episode of the BBC Sounds programme on The Invention of Russia. Listen to the story of Russia, the biggest contiguous country on the planet, told from a time when it was very small.
Listen to the recording.
Dr. Po wrote a new article
In "Fortifying the Maritime Frontier: Diagrams of Coastal Garrisons in the Qing Empire" Dr. Po argues that the Qing's attempt to ensure the safety of its maritime frontier was tied to an up-to-date, sufficient knowledge of the coast.
Read the article.
Professor Baer appeared on the Empires podcast
Discussing Ottoman Sultan Suleiman I on the Empires podcast. The Empires podcast with William Dalrymple and Anita Anand was chosen by the Times as one of the best podcasts of the previous year.
Listen to the recording.
50th anniversary of Britain’s entry into the EEC
Professor Ludlow was interviewed for a French based radio station to mark the 50th anniversary of Britain’s entry into the EEC. Hear him shed important historical light on this strange anniversary.
Listen to the recording.
Second place in LSE's Most-Read Book Reviews of 2022
LSE counted down the top 12 most-read new book reviews of 2022 published on their blog. We were delighted to find that Prof Vladslav Zubok's award winning book Collapse: The Fall of the Soviet Union recieved second place in their rankings.
Find out more.