Ben Curtis

Ben Curtis is a Research Fellow in History at Swansea University's School of Culture and Communication, specializing in modern Welsh history with emphasis on the coal industry, industrial disability, and deindustrialisation. He serves as General Editor of the South Wales Record Society and Treasurer of Llafur, the Welsh People's History Society. Currently employed on the AHRC-funded project 'Beyond Borders: The Second World War, National Identities and Empire in the UK' under Professor Martin Johnes.

His research examines socio-economic transformations in south Wales through archival analysis and oral history methodologies, focusing on:

• Coal mining community dynamics
• Industrial injury and worker health
• Post-industrial societal transitions
• Welsh labor movement evolution

His work bridges historical scholarship with contemporary understandings of industrial heritage and community resilience.

Dr. Curtis's seminal publication The South Wales Miners, 1964-1985 establishes foundational research on late-stage coal industry decline, analyzing union strategies and community survival during deindustrialization. His current AHRC project extends this expertise to World War II's impact on national identities and imperial structures, demonstrating methodological continuity in examining pivotal historical ruptures.

Funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council for 'Beyond Borders', Dr. Curtis contributes to major collaborative research while maintaining active roles in historical societies. His dual engagement with academic research and public history initiatives amplifies the societal impact of his work, particularly through editorial leadership at the South Wales Record Society and organizational stewardship of Llafur.