The chronological and geographical range of history research continues to expand whilst addressing some of the most pressing issues of the present . History at Edinburgh — Reimagining the past, informing the presentThe Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021) results provide a welcome opportunity to celebrate the pioneering research and many achievements of the community of historians at Edinburgh, whose research interests span from the Fall of Rome to contemporary Indigenous social movements in Latin America. Since 2014 we have substantially expanded the chronological and geographical range of our work to become a world leader in global history, while building on and enhancing our traditional strengths in medieval, early modern, late modern and contemporary history. Our ranking as 4th in the UK according to THE Research Power rank reflects the high quality of the research undertaken by the large and diverse group of historians at Edinburgh. A doctor treats wounds in this 12th-century illustration from the Maqamat, a collection of Islamic tales. Our research has engaged with some of the most pressing issues and crises of our times. Edinburgh’s historians have advanced our understanding of experiences of war and conflict and our research includes pioneering studies of the Second World War in Britain and of the public memory of atrocities during the Spanish Civil War. We have contributed to the transformation of public policy and attitudes by undertaking major studies on historic child sexual abuse and the cross-cultural understanding of mental health. Building on these successes, we have developed our strengths in Islamic history and are important partners in the creation of a new centre, the Centre for Late Antique, Islamic and Byzantine Studies, which was launched at the end of April 2022. We are also continuing to develop exciting new perspectives on the history of medicine, including pre-modern medicine, which will be the focus of a major conference in September 2022, Ecologies of Healing in the Premodern World. Major research projects currently underway include the production of digital editions of the ‘lost’ autobiographies of Alice Thornton (1626-1707), and the first comprehensive interdisciplinary history of the effects and experiences of the UK’s Equal Pay Act 1970 and Sex Discrimination Act 1975. Both projects are funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council.The success of historians at Edinburgh in REF2021 provides vital affirmation of the originality, importance and impact of our research.Find out more about just four projects below. Changing international perceptions Changing how the BBC covers Japan and the relationship between culture, politics and mental healthDr Christopher Harding - Senior Lecturer Asian HistoryThe impact of the research Dr Harding’s research focuses on the ways in which culture and politics shaped experiences, treatments and commentaries around mental illness in late 19th and early 20th century Japan. The impact of his research – particularly within BBC Radio – had helped create a deeper understanding of Japan alongside the ways in which culture and politics play a determining role in national conversations about mental health and illness.Listen to programmes featuring Dr Christopher Harding below, and read more about his work on his staff profile and his personal website. Left to right, Keith Moore (producer of the BBC series Borders of Sanity), Dr Christopher Harding and the Manga artist Torisugari as his character 'Watashi' (meaning 'I' in Japanese). Torisugari’s work explores his own experience of depression. ©Torisugari, reproduced with kind permission of the artist. BBC Radio Three, Free Thinking essaysPsychoanalysis and Buddhism Therapy Versus Prayer Freud in AsiaBBC Radio Archive on 4 Misunderstanding JapanWhat images come into your head when you think of Japan?BBC Radio 4, The Borders of SanityDepression in Japan Crossing the Borders of SanityBBC Radio 3, The Essay Dark BlossomsMore on Dr Christopher HardingStaff profile Personal website Deepening understanding of war The spirit of the Blitz: Deepening public understanding of the British Home Front during the Second World WarProfessor Jeremy Crang - Professor of Modern British HistoryThe impact of the research Drawing on research for their two major co-edited volumes ('Listening to Britain' and 'The spirit of the Blitz'), Professor Crang and the late Dr Paul Addison were deeply involved in the production of a highly-regarded four-part television documentary series, 'Blitz: The bombs that changed Britain' for the BBC. This series generated significant impact and reach, as evidenced by viewing figures of 1.506 million (average across the episodes for the first showing of the series), enthusiastic reviews by television critics, powerful contemporaneous online responses to the programmes by viewers, and a prestigious BAFTA nomination in the ‘Specialist Factual’ category.You can find out more about 'Blitz: The bombs that changed Britain' at the link below, and read more about Professor Crang's work. Bomb damage in Broadgate, central Coventry, the morning after the German air raid on the night of 14 November 1940. BBC TwoBlitz: The bombs that changed BritainEdinburgh ImpactHow the University community is making its mark upon the world through its research, innovation, ideas and actions.When women modernised the militaryMore on Professor Jeremy CrangStaff profile Engaging with Medieval history through play Deepening public engagement in Medieval history via new design strategies for tabletop gamesDr Gianluca Raccagni - Senior Lecturer in Medieval HistoryThe impact of the research Dr Raccagni has used the growing popularity of miniature tabletop war-gaming - a market estimated to grow to $12 billion by 2023 as a means of sharing his research on Medieval Italian city republics and the crusades with new audiences. His work has inspired and shaped the creation of three new game products, which have been recognised by the industry as new directions in the relationship between gaming, historical accuracy and historical research. Raccagni’s work has also been embraced by the administrators of the Italian Medieval town of Gradara as a way to engage the public with history. He was also invited to join the organising committee for the annual Gradara Ludens event, the leading Italian convention on heritage and gaming.You can read more about and listen to discussions around Dr Raccagni's work at the links below. Engaging people with Medieval history through play University of Edinburgh newsGames alliance plays to historians’ strengthsWargames IllustratedReview in Wargames Illustrated - Crusader StatesWargames Soliders and Strategy podcastIf at first you don’t succeed…The ScotsmanScottish historians turn their hands to game design in university crossoverHistory & Games Lab podcastHistory & Games LabMore on Dr Gianluca RaccagniStaff profile Challenging traditional interpretations Paracuellos: The most contested atrocity of the Spanish Civil War (1936- 1939)Dr Julius Ruiz - Senior LecturerThe impact of the research Over eighty years after the Spanish Civil War began there is still bitter controversy within the country about the scale, meaning and legacy of executions committed by retreating forces. Dr Julius Ruiz's research on Paracuellos - where 2,400 prisoners were executed in 1936 - has challenged the traditional interpretation that the atrocity took place without the knowledge of the Republican Government. Through the publication of a best-selling book (Paracuellos, El Mundo 2015) as well as related media interviews, articles and features, Dr Ruiz’s findings have entered national consciousness in Spain, shifting the terms of public debate and adding a valuable historical and critical perspective.You can read more about Dr Ruiz's work and listen to interviews with him at the links below. Matanzas de Paracuellos cemetery Interviews with Dr Ruiz (in Spanish)El gato al agua Onda Cero La Razón Norte de Castilla Ideal de Granada Diario de León.El PaísFar left and Franco supporters criticize the most rigorous book on the Paracuellos massacreABCThe executions of Paracuellos, the crime of the republicans in the Civil WarRevista de LibrosMen made in Spain More on Dr Julius RuizStaff profile This article was published on 2024-08-01
