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Special Interest Group

History

A home for those who are passionate about diverse areas of research in history and sharing this with scholars and practitioners within and beyond their community.

The History SIG is invested and engaged in all aspects of history and in forging a community of practitioners and researchers who value history, particularly through its connection to education. We recognise that history is complex and contentious, but is ubiquitous in life and affects people in myriad ways. As a History SIG, we want to promote learning of history, engagement in heritage activities and historical research, and serve as a vehicle for promoting a love of the subject and relevance in out contemporary world.

Research interests 

History is a diverse and complex field and the SIG broadly welcome any interest where there is an association between history and education. Our three principal areas of interest are:

  1. History as a field of study in schools, universities and more informally
  2. The history of education, including teacher education
  3. Material culture and student-led history and heritage activities

SIG aims

Our seven core aims are as follows:

  1. To enhance the status and improve the visibility of history within educational research
  2. To champion the role of history in educational practice
  3. To promote the exchange of knowledge and understanding in the field of historical studies
  4. To create opportunities for academics and practitioners with different levels of knowledge and experience to engage in a community of practice that is inclusive and welcoming of all colleagues and relevant areas of interest
  5. To facilitate learning and knowledge exchange through regular events and activities through the academic year, including, as appropriate, through collaboration with other SIGs
  6. To promote engagement of the History SIG membership in the wider history community, with public discourse and policy consultation
  7. To promote engagement and attendance at the BERA Conference, encouraging and supporting members and non-members with submission of abstracts and posters for the conference

BERA History Forum

SIG Convenors

Profile picture of Mary Clare Martin
Mary Clare Martin, Dr

Principal Lecturer/Research Lead at University of Greenwich

After my first degree in history at the University of York, I taught EFL in Italy, then after PGCE (primary) taught in the London Borough of Brent. My PhD (Goldsmiths' College, University of London) was on Children and Religion in the 18th and...

Content associated with this SIG

BERA Educational Research Book of the Year

Closes 22 Jul 2025

This award celebrates the publication of educational research and is awarded to a scholarly book on education deemed to be high quality, engaging and innovative.

AwardOpen

BERA celebrates 10 years of the BERA Blog

2025 marks 10 years of the BERA Blog, and we’re so proud of all that it has accomplished! Thank you to all those who have contributed to the Blog, whether as authors, editors, or readers. The...

BERA in the news6 May 2025

10 years of the BERA Blog

This blog series celebrates one decade of the BERA Blog, as an important and growing space to explore current and varied issues and questions of concern to the education community. To mark this...

Blog Series

Winter 2024/25

Research Intelligence issue 161: Reclaiming teacher education: Opportunities for a research informed & politically engaged profession

Research Intelligence22 Nov 2024