Toby Purser

Toby Purser is a Senior Lecturer in Education at the University of Northampton, affiliated with the Childhood, Youth and Families Centre for Education and Research and the Centre for Historical Studies. He specializes in both Medieval History and the History of Education, bridging academic research with practical pedagogy.

• PhD, University of Southampton
• MSt and BA, University of Oxford
• PGCE, University of Bath

His research interests span Medieval History—particularly the gentry, governance, and social structures of early to late Medieval England (c400–c1550)—and the History of Education, including curriculum development, pedagogy, the National Curriculum in England, and the teaching of the Holocaust. He employs interdisciplinary methods, integrating archaeology, literature, and historical records.

His recent publications reflect a strong focus on medieval communities, childhood constructs, and historical narratives in education. He has authored academic books, peer-reviewed articles, and educational textbooks, and has contributed to public history through documentaries and exhibitions. His work on the Magna Carta exhibition and collaboration with Andy Serkis highlight his engagement beyond academia.

• Fellow of the Royal Historical Society (Dec 2022 – present)
• Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (Sept 2017 – present)

Purser has supervised PhD students and served as an examiner. He is active in public engagement, including media interviews, BBC Bitesize contributions, and school outreach programs. He is also a published fiction author, demonstrating a creative approach to historical storytelling. His work bridges scholarly rigor with public accessibility, making history relevant across educational levels and audiences.