Matt Cook

Matthew Cook is the inaugural Jonathan Cooper Chair of the History of Sexuality at the University of Oxford's Faculty of History and Mansfield College. Previously, he held a professorship and departmental leadership roles at Birkbeck, University of London. Specializing in queer and LGBT history, his work spans urban queer cultures, the AIDS crisis, and LGBTQ+ public heritage. Educated at Sheffield University (BA English Literature), Queen Mary, University of London (MA and PhD in History), he has advised on major heritage projects for institutions like the National Trust and Museum of London. His research emphasizes cross-period, transnational, and community-centered approaches to queer history.

Education:

• Bachelor of Arts in English Literature, University of Sheffield
• Master of Arts in 'Literature, Culture, and Modernity', Queen Mary, University of London
• Doctor of Philosophy in History, Queen Mary, University of London

Research Interests: Urban queer cultures, queer domesticity, LGBTQ+ public history, transnational comparisons, oral histories, and community-driven archival projects. He explores how queer lives intersect with urban spaces, legal frameworks, and cultural production across historical periods.

Media & Outreach: Regular media contributor on LGBTQ+ history, appearing on radio and TV. Advised films, documentaries, and stage shows, including projects for Duckie nightclub and the Norwegian Queerdom initiative at the University of Bergen.

Teaching & Supervision: Supervises DPhil students on topics ranging from LGBTQ+ education histories to trans identities in Edwardian England. Teaches undergraduate and graduate courses on queer theory, masculinities, and 20th-century youth culture.

Labs & Collaborations: Active in the Centre for Women’s, Gender and Queer Histories at Oxford, focusing on emotions, subjectivity, and intersectional identities in modern history.