Real historian series
Studying history can lead to a wide variety of careers. In Our Real Historians series we feature some real-life historians who share their love of history, why history is important, and how their education led to an exciting and interesting career.
Case study: Kate Wilson, Senior Director of Humanities for Outwood Grange Academies Trust
In this case study Kate Wilson shares why she thinks it's important for students to study history and how studying history helps to develop important life skills such as critical thinking.
"I think history is critical as it provides us with a way to make sense of current affairs. Everything that is currently occurring in the world has been influenced by, and is a direct result of that which preceded it. It is because of this that everyone should have an understanding of history as without this, how do we as people make progress?” Kate Wilson
Case study: Paul Lay, Senior Research Fellow in Early Modern History at the University of Buckingham
In this case study Paul Lay tells us why studying history is important and why history matters.
"History shows us the endless possibilities of human existence, good and bad, that everything is contingent and that we are humble passengers in time". Paul Lay
Case study: Cathy Murphy, Education Lead at The Vikings UK
In this case study Cathy Murphy, Education Lead at The Vikings UK, an historical re-enactment society, tells how studying History at GCSE and a degree in Theology at university led to her love of teaching and bringing history to life for primary school children.
"History is full of stories which can inspire, shock and move us. By learning about our forebears, their struggles and triumphs, their ingenuity and, most of all, their humanity, we can learn a huge amount about ourselves." Cathy Murphy
Case study: Nicole Ridley, teacher of History, Sociology and Subject Lead for PSHE
Find out how Nicole discovered her love for history, why history has a direct impact on the world we live in, and, how her own research on the American West in the 1800s is shining a light on the lives of women in a space traditionally dominated by the stories of men.
Case study: Dr Diya Gupta, Postdoctoral Fellow at the Royal Historical Society and the Institute of Historical Research
In this case study Dr Diya Gupta shares with us how she got into history and why history matters in today's world, and encourages the young generations to study history at school.
"I think we are discovering on a daily basis in 2022 why history matters in the world! We can only really come to terms with the present if we have a richer and fuller understanding of the past.” Dr Diya Gupta
