British and Irish history since the 18th century

The research interests of historians working in this area range from manufacturers to masculinity and from political ideas to the making of British identities. Dr Donna Loftus specialises in the 19th Century with a particular focus on masculinity. Dr Chris Williams focuses on British social and administrative history. Dr Richard Marsden is interested in how ideas about the past shape identities in Britain from the 18th Century to the present day. Dr Anna Plassart researches the history of political ideas in France and Britain. Dr Suzanne Forbes researches Irish political culture with a focus on the 18th Century. Professor Rosalind Crone specialises in 19th century society and culture. 

We welcome applications in areas that correspond with current staff research interests. We look for detailed  proposals, which set out specific research questions and outline the originality of your topic or approach. We strongly encourage you to contact us to discuss your ideas informally before submitting an application. 

Entry requirements

Most successful applicants to the PhD programme have a masters degree in history or a related discipline, and/or a first-class history degree with a substantial primary-source dissertation. However, applicants can still be considered if they demonstrate evidence of the ability to pursue research and write at a high level in some historical field.

Current/recent research projects

• Frank Hughes, Captives of the System: The Commissioners in Lunacy as Regulators of Services for Pauper Lunatics and Idiots, 1845–1914
• Joan Hornsby, Managing Pauperism and Poverty in Axminster Union 1860–1901
• Katherine Lucas, The Influence of the French Revolution on the Political Thinking of Wolfe Tone
• Louise Ryland-Epton, Welfare Innovation in the Late Eighteenth Century: Gilbert’s Act Workhouses 1782–1834

Potential supervisors

• Professor Rosalind Crone
• Dr Suzanne Forbes
• Dr Donna Loftus
• Dr Richard Marsden
• Dr Anna Plassart
• Dr Chris Williams

Fees and funding

Some of our research students are funded via the Open-Oxford-Cambridge AHRC Doctoral Training Partnership; others are self-funded.

For detailed information about fees and funding, visit Fees and studentships.

To see current funded studentship vacancies across all research areas, see Current studentships.

Links

• History at The Open University