An article on the ways in which food, drink and confectionary companies used advertising to respond to the government’s control of the market during the Second World War by Mick Hayes, doctoral student in History at the University of Portsmouth, has recently been published in the Journal of Historical Research in Marketing. See below for the abstract, and if you want to read the article, click here.
Abstract The aim of this paper is to illustrate the impact of zoning and pooling on food, drink and confectionary brands during the Second World War, something that has not been covered in depth in historical literature, despite the significant amount of research that has been conducted into rationing and its effects on British society. In addition, the paper evaluates how brands in these industries used advertising in response to the government’s control of the market during the conflict. Based on a close reading and interpretation of food, drink and confectionery brands’ advertisements from the Daily Express and Daily Mirror newspapers across the Second World War, the paper argues that brands used advertising to provide information to their customers about rationing, shortages, zoning and pooling for a range of reasons: to keep them informed of developments, to offer their apologies regarding problems in obtaining goods, urge patience, and help them look forward to a time when the conflict was over.
Every year, the History team at Portsmouth organise a series of research seminars that take place across the autumn and spring terms. Historians are invited from a range of institutions, both in Britain and abroad, to talk about their latest research projects. The subjects presented cover a broad historical timespan and offer insight into a diverse range of topics. This autumn features talks on society’s visions of future warfare, the representation of the 1549 Western Rebellion, and the role of clothing consumption in seventeenth century Sussex. All are welcome to attend.
Autumn 2017
Wednesday 18th October, 3:30-5:00pm. Room: Burnaby Building 1.25
Sleepwalking to the Precipice: The failure to predict the nature of future war, 1870-1914
David Bangert (University of Portsmouth)
Wednesday 15th November, 3:30-5:00pm. Room: Burnaby Building 1.25
Kill all the Gentlemen!: (Mis)representing the Western Rebels of 1549
Are you just about to embark on your final year studying as a History student? In this blog one of last year’s History graduates, Callum Devine, reflects on his experiences as a third year student. He offers advice on how to work through the year, as well as how to go about planning for your future careers. Callum graduated in July with a 2.1.
The third and final year of your history degree… The year that seemed so far away when you started, and yet has crept up so quickly. For most of you it will be the year of many lasts: the last essay, last seminar, or last purple Wednesday. Before I went back to Portsmouth for my final year I found the prospect of finally finishing my degree in history quite daunting. The impending workload and fairly irrational fears, nothing short of Victorian gothic literature, made the finish line of graduation day very unclear.
Image courtesy of Oliver Stedman
However, in no time I found out just how wrong I was to be worried. Third year as a Portsmouth University History student was absolutely fantastic and hugely engaging. Without realising it, all those units from first and second year, especially those teaching us the skills to be ‘real’ historians, had actually sunk in. Once the seminars, reading, and assignments began I felt like the adjustment was easy. So do not panic, you might find you will shock yourself in your abilities and knowledge that you have already built up. In comparison to second year which consisted significantly of assessed seminars (love them or loathe them, we can certainly agree they took a lot to prepare for), I found the workload in the third year far more manageable.
While the workload did feel more manageable, it can easily overwhelm you if you do not keep on top of things. My biggest worry over the summer was my dissertation. Although I had completed my proposal, I still felt I only had a vague idea of what it would consist of. Therefore I would advise that you do not hesitate to get started with the 10 per cent dissertation task. It is a great opportunity to get the initial bulk of your reading completed and much of what you write can be utilised in your initial first chapter draft. The more you do at the start before the other assignments are due, you will be in a much more comfortable position with your dissertation. Third year is not solely made up of your dissertation however, and this year your units will challenge you in a slightly different way. The group research projects and special subjects will challenge you to delve deeper into specific topics in far greater detail, and you will be granted far greater freedom to research what really interests you. Although it may seem like a long time away, the final group research project presentation will come around very quickly, but it feels very rewarding to deliver a project tailored by yourselves and with extensive knowledge that you have built up over the term. The best advice I can offer is to not be afraid of seeking help with your work. Whether the help consists of discussing an essay plan with your tutor or utilising the vast learning support resources on offer at the university, it can all help to improve your marks even slightly.
Looking beyond graduation and to careers can also be a daunting prospect, especially if you do not have a specific job in mind. There is no need to panic or worry though, I found it too tough to complete lots of lengthy job applications while still studying, as a history student it is not easy to sacrifice an hour or two for a job application when that time could be spent reading for seminars or other work. It will be useful though to just have a think, and a browse at the types of jobs that interest you. Knowing what language employers use in advertisements is something I wish I had investigated earlier. Doing this research may also highlight if employers are looking for specific forms of work experience or volunteering which can be gained while still studying. There are plenty of museums in Portsmouth in which part time roles can be undertaken, as well as many local history projects on offer that always need volunteers. Finally, definitely use the Purple Door careers advice while you are in Portsmouth, whether that is the graduate job fair, or just simply advice with your CV, it will be really beneficial.
Lastly but most importantly, enjoy your final year as an undergraduate as much as possible, nothing quite compares to it. Retaining a social life is vital to remaining sane and fresh when it comes to studying. Explore and enjoy Portsmouth, do things you might not have done before, there’s lots and lots of history to enjoy. Good luck to every third year History undergraduate student, you’ll do fantastically.
Returning for your third year as a History undergraduate? This blog was written by former History student Taché Smith, and in it she reflects back on her final year of study and offers tips on how to work through it. Taché graduated in July 2017 with a 2.1 and is now looking for museum work in her home country of Bermuda.
There’s a lot of things said about the third year, most of it revolving around how easy or how hard it is; however, it just isn’t that simple. The third year of university is one of the most satisfying and frustrating experiences you will ever have. It will challenge you in ways you never expected. The good news is that the first and second year have already prepared you for the third year, and if ever you feel like it’s getting overwhelming, the University has a host of people willing to help, like the learning development tutors, the library staff, and the well-being counselors.
Better still though, we have our tutors within the History Department. You’ll have met most if not all of them throughout your time at Portsmouth. You have your dissertation supervisor, your personal tutor from previous years, and that tutor who you just clicked and feel comfortable with. It doesn’t matter if you have classes with them this term or even this year. Reach out to them and they will absolutely be willing to help you with any questions you have.
Image courtesy of Taché Smith
For some generalized advice regarding maintaining some level of sanity this year, I recommend if you haven’t already invested in a portable flash drive that you do so. It may seem basic, or unnecessary, but it will become a life saver at the weirdest time. Your dissertation is slowly going to become your life this year, and having it somewhere safe outside of the library network and your personal computer will give you an extra level of comfort, especially if you still have travel to do for further research for your dissertation. You are going to want, and need your dissertation on as many devices, clouds, and in as many email inboxes as you can manage.
Another piece of advice for you. Don’t delete! It might sound crazy, but seriously don’t delete, have multiple documents, have one be the “final copy” of your draft chapters. In the meantime, though, don’t be afraid to have extra files, this is going to be a long, time-consuming piece of work. Just because something doesn’t work in one area of your dissertation doesn’t mean it won’t work in another, or at least inform it. Seriously, while everything you write won’t be academic gold it can at least inform your future research. When you are writing if something seems a little off just cut it and paste it into a new document.
The third year is the year where there is a lot more freedoms and responsibility academically. The tutors are still there, so don’t forget about them. Beyond that though, schedule your time. You have a lot of ‘free’ time (when you’re not in class), which is good news. It gives you all the time you need to work on your dissertation, your special subjects, and group research. More importantly, though, it gives you enough time for you, and your social life. The third year is not the beginning of the end of having fun at university. In fact, if you do it right it can be the best year overall.
Take advantage of the amount of time you have and remember you must not only work hard academically but socially. Now is the time if you haven’t done so already to join a society or sport. Might I give a heavy-handed suggestion that you join the History Society? It’s really cool, a mixture of fun and academic events, and most importantly organizes a careers’ event geared towards us specifically. Seriously though, it doesn’t matter if you do join a society or you don’t but try to strike a balance between coursework and social life. Both are necessary for a fun and successful year.
Take the time out to explore a bit more locally if you haven’t. Winter will be right around the corner, and with it, the weather will be turning. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take advantage of the seafront and the commons. Remember to get out of the house, the library, and enjoy any good weather while you can. Hangout with your mates a bit more outside of a night out. Movie and Games nights with some good food and better company can do wonders for your state of mind. Most importantly though take time for yourself, without any outside pressure of academics or socialization, to wind down.
The third year is the best year of University you can have if you handle it correctly. Manage your time, and you’ll be as comfortable as one can be with a dissertation deadline looming, and far more relaxed than you ever thought you could be at the end of the year. After all that, I’ll end by wishing you all good luck in the upcoming year, it’ll be over sooner than you think, and when you look back you will be astonished to see how much you managed to accomplish.
Are you just about to start your second year studying History? This blog is written by Jess Jenkins, and in it she thinks back on her second year of studies and offers advice on how to make the most of your experience. Jess is just about to start her final year.
Two years done, and each year getting better! I am now going into my third year as a History student at Portsmouth University and my second year has only left me feeling ridiculously eager to proceed into my final year.
Image courtesy of Rebecca Hams
The second year as a history student is a year that you can tailor to your interests and pursuits by choosing options that reflect what areas of history you are interested in. The assessed seminars that you probably used to dread seem like a familiar friend as you are now more comfortable with your fellow students and lecturers, as well as being more confident of what is expected of you. Assessed seminars will probably end up giving you some of your best grades of the year, you just need to remember to: contribute your ideas in the small group discussions, drop those historians’ names and their arguments at all times, and then just relay these ideas in the whole group discussion, trying to draw links to a wider historical debate, and you will hit those high 2.1s and Firsts every time!
Essay deadlines and their increased length may seem daunting at first, but don’t panic… You have an extra chance to re-do the essays to better yourself, so honestly do ALL the deadlines, don’t settle for your first attempt! When writing these essays your lecturers are your greatest resource, so use them. Before I wrote any essay I made an appointment with the lecturer of that topic via email to have a quick ten-minute meeting. This made sure my plans and ideas were heading in the right direction and helped me map out the structure of the upcoming essay. The lectures love interacting with you; they know their stuff and are worth their weight in gold, so use them!
My second year at university was not only the best yet because of my course, but because of university life and societies. The number one best decision I ever made at university was joining the university rowing team! I had never actually done rowing before I came, but I met so many new people on different courses and they made me feel so welcome, and part of something bigger! Therefore I would strongly suggest joining a society, be it sport, academic or creative, but be part of something more and make new friends for life. I was also part of the ski and snow society, which is the biggest society in the SU, having over 200 members and this meant I was able to go on the university ski trip, which has been one of the best weeks of my life so far!
Basically, in short, university is a brilliant place to be; you become more attached to your history course because you pick your subjects and mould it to your interests and future. But you are also older now, more settled and familiar with Portsmouth and its people, so enjoy all aspects of university life and make every day count as it will be over before you know it!
Are you just about to start your first year as a History student? Starting to wonder what it will be like? Then read this blog written by one of last year’s ‘freshers’, Eleanor Doyle. In the blog Eleanor reflects on her experience when starting this whole new chapter in her life, from induction week worries to enjoying life both inside and outside the lecture room. Eleanor is just about to start her second year of studies.
When you start at university it can be difficult to know what to expect. For most people, it’s their first time away from home and there is a lot more independence than at school or college. It can take a while to get to grips with your new lifestyle but I loved the first year of my degree and I’m sure you will too!
Image courtesy of history student Dominic Coombs
I enrolled at Portsmouth only a few days before induction week and so my nerves were at an all-time high. Although I’m a commuting student and I know Portsmouth well, I can vividly remember feeling completely lost on my first day and arriving almost an hour before I needed to – just to be sure. Luckily, I am very pleased to say that I now realise I didn’t need to be so worried – and probably could have caught the later bus! The most important thing I have learnt this year is that however you feel, it will be ok and you are definitely not the only one who feels that way.
It is easy to look back at things and see them with rose-tinted glasses (as you’re doing a history degree it’s important you don’t do this too often) but I can confidently say that my first year was amazing. It certainly wasn’t easy, and you’ll start to realise that once deadlines roll in, but it is worth it. You might become best friends with the people you meet in Freshers’ Week but you might not. There isn’t a right way to go about it but you will meet people that help make any 9am lectures a little brighter!
As obvious as it sounds, your first year gives you an opportunity to learn new things. One of the most helpful things you learn is how you work best. The sooner you can decide whether 11am or 9pm is the perfect time for you to study, the easier everything else becomes. You have the chance to be flexible with your time too. Although it can feel like lectures, seminars and deadlines have you constantly busy, they won’t take up your whole day and while you need to make sure you can put in the work to prepare yourself (because they’re useless if you show up completely blank), there are loads of other things you can get involved with outside of your studies. I was already working at the Mary Rose Museum in the Historic Dockyard when I started first year and I am so glad I kept it up. Not everyone likes to work at university but lots of us want or need to have a job to fit around our studies. Sometimes it can take a bit of time to reach a healthy balance but I loved having a place to completely switch off from uni.
Societies are another great way to do something other than academic work at university. I joined the History Society (obvious choice, I know) and I’m now the secretary. I really wasn’t sure what to expect when I joined but it gave me the chance to have fun with new people and try things I hadn’t done before. If you’re interested in History (and, if you’re studying History, I would hope that you are) come and see us at Freshers’ Fayre and have a chat about what we do. If you don’t like partying and drinking, we do plenty of relaxed events like visits to local museums, and if you do want to get a taste for the nightlife here, we’re happy to oblige too!
As I said earlier, the most important things I learnt in my first year is that however you feel there will always be someone who feels the same or can help you. I had some strange worries about all manner of things but, with the help of my friends and lecturers, I made it through my first year and I’m just about to start the whirlwind that is second year!
