Geoffrey Hicks

Geoffrey Hicks is an Associate Professor in the School of History and Art History at the University of East Anglia (UEA). His research and teaching focus on British political and diplomatic history from 1800 to the early 20th century, with particular emphasis on the interplay between foreign policy and party politics, especially within conservatism and aristocratic circles.

• British political history since 1800
• British diplomatic history (1850–1940)
• Relations between European powers (1815–1940)
• Politics of conservatism and aristocratic reaction
• 19th-century foreign policy and party dynamics

His research explores how foreign policy was shaped by domestic political agendas and elite networks. He examines themes such as patronage, public service, commemoration, and transnational political culture in modern Britain. His work often draws on archival sources and interdisciplinary approaches to illuminate political behavior in historical contexts.

Recent publications show a consistent focus on British foreign policy elites, conservative ideology, and the cultural dimensions of international relations. His articles span topics including female political networks in post-Napoleonic Rome, the Lincoln statue controversy in Anglo-American memory, and the reform of public life in 19th-century Britain. These works reflect a broader trend in his scholarship: analyzing how personal, political, and cultural factors intersect in shaping diplomatic and political outcomes.

He is currently leading a British Academy-funded project titled 'Documents on Conservative Foreign Policy, 1852–1878', indicating active research and grant acquisition.

Geoffrey Hicks supervises doctoral research in British foreign policy (1815–1880), 19th-century British politics, and conservatism in foreign affairs. He teaches undergraduate and postgraduate modules on British foreign policy and international history from 1815 to 1960.

He is affiliated with research networks related to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those concerning peace, justice, and strong institutions, though specific SDG alignment is not detailed.