This is a question that we are increasingly being asked by prospective students (and their parents!) at open days. It is certainly a valid question when AI seems to be making all sorts of people question how and why we do certain things. But it is based on a misunderstanding, or partial understanding, of what historians do and what history students are being trained to do. 1. AI can tell us WHAT happened but not WHY (or, importantly, why it matters) History is not about knowing when the Crimean War happened, or who was Prime Minister in 1957. Although knowing these types of ‘facts’ is certainly useful, this […]
Tag Archives | history
Love your history studies, and don’t remain silent
In this new post, first-year history student Touissant Maynard gives some great advice on studying history at Portsmouth, based on his own experience this year. When going through the academic key stages, we are always told about the increased pressure and challenges that come with it. Now despite these warnings nothing could have prepared me for A-levels especially in those gruelling last 4 -5 months, so if you’re reading this then like me you made it through it. However, like I said moving up a key stage always provides a new challenge and uni gives you various ones both in and outside your academic studies. However, in an attempt to […]
What is it like to study history at the University of Portsmouth?
See our new BA History and BA History and Politics videos to find out.
The Lost Crafts of the Past
As part of their work on the second year core module ‘Working with the Past’, three University of Portsmouth History students – Chanel Parker, Loraya Head, and Gemma Norris – collaborated with Portsmouth Museum and Art Gallery to curate a three-month exhibition that both celebrated the crafts of our ancestors and highlighted the importance of preserving the craftspeoples’ skills for future generations. In this blog, written for Hampshire Archives Trust, Chanel Parker discusses the research methods the group used when curating the exhibition. ‘Working with the Past’ is coordinated by Mike Esbester. To read the blog, click this link. Slider image courtesy of Birmingham Museums Trust
Dangerous operations: Railway goods guards’ safety burdens
University of Portsmouth History student Lauren Lee produced a blog for the Railway Work, Life & Death project as part of her work on the second year core module ‘Working with the Past’, coordinated by Mike Esbester. In this blog, Lauren looks at some of the dangers encountered by goods guards while working on the railway, and reveals that tragic tale of one guard, William Jolley, who sadly lost his life while undertaking his duties. Mike co-leads the RWLD project along with Karen Baker (Librarian, National Railway Museum) and Helen Ford (Manager, Modern Records Centre) with the assistance of Craig Shaw (Volunteer Administrator, NRM). To read the blog, click this link.
Blackout accidents on Britain’s railways during World War Two
University of Portsmouth History student Evan Cossburne produced a blog for the Railway Work, Life & Death project as part of his work on the second year core module ‘Working with the Past’, coordinated by Mike Esbester. Mike co-leads the RWLD project along with Karen Baker (Librarian, National Railway Museum) and Helen Ford (Manager, Modern Records Centre) with the assistance of Craig Shaw (Volunteer Administrator, NRM). In this blog, Evan looks at the impact of the Second World War on railway personnel’s working conditions, focusing particularly on the accidents caused by a ‘lack of light’. To read the blog, click this link.