Find Academic Supervisors

David L. SmithView profile

Lecturer

• Early Modern British History
• Political History
• Constitutional History
• +3 more

Dr. David L. Smith is a Fellow and Director of Studies in History at Selwyn College, Cambridge, and an Affiliated Lecturer in the Faculty of History. He has held roles such as Graduate Tutor at Selwyn College, and previously served as Admissions Tutor (1992-2003) and Praelector (1996-2006). He was appointed to his current position in 1992 after completing his PhD under John Morrill's supervision, having earned his BA, MA, and PGCE in History from the University of Cambridge. His research focuses on early modern British political, constitutional, and legal history, particularly the seventeenth century, emphasizing the history of Parliament, monarchy, Royalism, and Oliver Cromwell’s career. He teaches undergraduate courses on British political history (1485-1714), MPhil modules on absolutism and state formation in Europe, and weekend/summer programs via Cambridge’s Institute of Continuing Education. His publications span edited volumes, book chapters, and reviews, reflecting expertise in revolution dynamics, monarchical governance, and historical analysis through film and manuscripts. Awards include Fellowship of the Royal Historical Society and leadership in the Cambridge History Forum. Smith actively supervises graduate research in early modern British history and is known for engaging adult learners through primary-source discussions and fieldtrips. His pedagogical approach highlights interdisciplinary connections between history and other fields, such as theater and legal studies.

Nicholas McDowellView profile

Professor

• Early Modern European Cultural History
• English Civil Wars
• John Milton Studies
• +5 more

Professor Nicholas McDowell is a leading scholar in early modern literature and thought at the University of Exeter , with a focus on 1500-1800 British and European contexts. His work bridges literary innovation and historical upheaval, particularly the English Civil Wars and their cultural legacy. PhD in English from the University of Oxford (2000) Former Research Fellow at Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge Visiting Fellow at Princeton’s Institute for Advanced Study and CRASSH, Cambridge Research Themes : His scholarship centers on John Milton, Cavalier Poets, and Jonathan Swift, analyzing how literature navigates political and religious change. He explores translation, dissent, and the tension between liberty and constraint in poetic forms. Recent Publications (2020-2025): • 2026 Comic Enlightenment (Princeton UP) on Milton-Swift intersections • 2024 The Oxford Handbook of English Prose, 1640-1714 • 2025 The Seventeenth Century article on Milton and Cromwell’s virtue politics Awards & Grants : Philip Leverhulme Prize (2007) Leverhulme Major Research Fellowship (2023-5) for Poetry of Civil War John T. Shawcross Award (2014) for Milton prose edition Supervision : Mentors PhD research on early modern topics, including Milton’s materialist philosophies and 17th-century labor representations. Former advisees like Dr. Esther van Raamsdonk have published their work.

• Early Modern British History
• Political History
• Print Culture
• +4 more

Jason Peacey is Professor of Early Modern British History in the Department of History at University College London, where he joined as a lecturer in 2006, became a senior lecturer in 2009, and holds his current professorship. He is a fellow of the Royal Historical Society and maintains active scholarly engagement through editorial roles and research supervision. His academic credentials include PhD studies completed at the University of Cambridge in 1994, following earlier education at the universities of Lancaster and York. His doctoral research preceded a research fellowship at the History of Parliament Trust before his appointment at UCL. Peacey's research centers on the intersection of print culture and political life in early modern Britain, examining censorship mechanisms, propaganda production, news management in nascent newspapers, and the broader 'information revolution' experienced by diverse social groups. He extends this analysis to transnational dimensions, investigating how political ideas traversed borders and contributed to an emerging European public sphere that required diplomatic manipulation by political elites. His extensive publication record demonstrates consistent thematic focus on petitioning as a political communication tool, the role of ephemeral print in revolutionary politics, and the interplay between local and national political spheres during the English Revolution and Restoration periods. Recent works increasingly analyze George Thomason's book collection and annotations as windows into contemporary reading practices and information dissemination. His scholarly recognition includes: Fellow of the Royal Historical Society Peacey serves on editorial boards for History Compass, Media History, and Parliamentary History (as book reviews editor), and co-edits the monograph series 'Politics, Culture and Society in Early Modern Britain' for Manchester University Press. His teaching encompasses undergraduate courses including 'Tudor and Stuart Britain, 1500-1700', 'The Political City: London in the Seventeenth Century', and 'The British Civil Wars and Interregnum', alongside MA modules on the public sphere. He supervises graduate research on early modern British political history, parliamentary studies, and print culture. While no formal laboratory structures are documented, Peacey's collaborative editorial work and co-edited volumes with scholars like Chris Kyle and Peter Lake indicate active participation in international research networks focused on political communication and print culture in early modern Britain.

Fiona McCallView profile

Senior Lecturer

• English Civil War
• Interregnum Britain
• Religious Practice
• +3 more

Fiona McCall is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Portsmouth , affiliated with the Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences and the School of Area Studies, Sociology, History, Politics and Literature . She is associated with the Centre of Excellence for Heritage Innovation and the Centre for European & International Studies Research , working from Park Building, Portsmouth. Her research spans the English Civil War and Interregnum period, focusing on clergy communities, religious practices, loyalist experiences, and societal conflicts. Key themes include the impact of war on family structures, local religious tolerance/intolerance, and secular legal responses to religious offenses. Recent publications analyze baptismal divisions, clergy resilience, and post-war reconstruction. She has authored articles in journals like Studies in Church History and The Seventeenth Century , and edited works such as Church and People in Interregnum Britain . Her book Baal's Priests examines loyalist clergy during the English Revolution. McCall engages in peer-reviewed contributions, book reviews, and scholarly editions, often exploring historical documentation and memory. She actively accepts PhD students, though specific advisees are not listed in the provided materials.

Joel HalcombView profile

Lecturer

• Early Modern History
• Religious Nonconformity
• British Civil Wars
• +3 more

Joel Halcomb is a Lecturer in Early Modern History at the University of East Anglia’s School of History and Art History. He specializes in religious practice, culture, and politics during the British Civil Wars, particularly focusing on nonconformity. He co-founded the Dissenting Experience project and serves as Assistant Editor for The Minutes and Papers of the Westminster Assembly . His work explores interregnum religion and Congregational movements. Dr. Halcomb holds a PhD (2010) and teaches modules on Tudor and Stuart England, conspiracy in the early modern world, and the British Civil Wars. Education: Doctor of Philosophy (2010) Research Interests: Dr. Halcomb’s research examines religious nonconformity, exile communities, and political culture. His current projects include a monograph on the Congregational movement during the Civil Wars. He has co-edited volumes on Oliver Cromwell’s speeches and church records of dissenters. Grants & Projects: Lead researcher on the British Academy-funded A Calendar of British and Irish Dissenting Church Records, c.1640–1714 (2016–2018). Advising: Supervised graduate research on Elizabethan religion, honor in 17th-century courts, and the regicide of Charles I. Labs/Teams: Active in the Dissenting Experience project and collaborates with scholars on early modern religious history.

• Early Modern History
• Political History
• Religious History
• +6 more

Dr John G Reeks is a Senior Lecturer in Early Modern History at the Department of History (Historical Studies), University of Bristol, where he teaches undergraduate units on early modern England and Europe. He serves as Admissions Officer and Deputy Director of Teaching, and has held external examiner roles at Strode College (2016–2020). His research centers on early modern political and religious history, particularly the English parish church and Bristol's role during the Civil War. His research interests include: English Civil War and Bristol’s governors Seventeenth-century Church of England Parish and administrative histories History of the University of Bristol (1876–1957) His recent publications, primarily in leading historical journals, reflect a consistent focus on religious and social dynamics in Interregnum Britain, with an emphasis on local institutions and community life. His work often engages with archival sources and scholarly editions, contributing to broader understandings of post-Reformation religious culture. John Reeks has contributed to public history through media appearances on BBC Radio Bristol, discussing topics such as Mothering Sunday and the University’s historians. His academic service includes departmental leadership and external examination, demonstrating commitment to both teaching and institutional scholarship.

• Early Modern History
• Public Administration
• Transcultural Studies
• +3 more

Sebastian Meurer is the Managing Director of the Centre for Global Cooperation Research at the University of Duisburg-Essen. He has held academic and coordination roles at the Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, University of Heidelberg, and University of Duisburg-Essen, focusing on early modern history and transcultural governance. PhD in early modern history (2014, University of Heidelberg) Certificate in Science and Research Management (2014, ZWM Speyer) MA in history, comparative religious studies, and auxiliary sciences of history (1999–2008, University of Heidelberg) His research explores administrative reforms in 18th-century Britain and colonial India , heroization processes , and transcultural encounters . Key publications include monographs on efficiency discourses and co-edited volumes on heroism and global intellectual history. Recent articles analyze: Epistemic shifts in Georgian Britain Constitutional imagination in the Enlightenment Heroic archetypes in political philosophy Transcultural methodologies in state-building Scientific honors include summa cum laude for his PhD dissertation. He has served as academic coordinator for major research projects and co-edits the Critical Readings in Global Intellectual History series.

• Early Modern British Art
• Graphic Satire
• Print Culture
• +3 more

Dr. Helen Pierce is a Senior Lecturer in Art History at the University of Aberdeen, affiliated with the School of Divinity, History, Philosophy & Art History. She holds a PhD in History of Art from the University of York and has held research fellowships at institutions such as the Paul Mellon Centre and the Huntington Library. Her work focuses on British art of the early modern period (c.1550–1750), particularly graphic satire, print culture, and the York Virtuosi group. Education: BA (Hons) in English and History of Art, MA and PhD in History of Art from the University of York. Professional roles include Student Engagement and Employability Lead for the School and co-ordinator of undergraduate programs in Art History. Research: Investigates printed images as propaganda, satirical prints, and the activities of the York Virtuosi. Current projects include a history of British political caricature and studies of Francis Place’s artistic networks. Key publications include Unseemly Pictures: Graphic Satire and Politics in Early Modern England (2008) and recent articles on Francis Place’s travels and satirical prints. Publications: Over 20 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters, including contributions to Print Quarterly , British Art Studies , and Huntington Library Quarterly . Her work frequently intersects with interdisciplinary collaborations, such as co-curating the exhibition Striking Impressions (2024). Awards: Fellowships from the Paul Mellon Centre, Huntington Library, and Folger Shakespeare Library. Recognitions include Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (2014–) and Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland (2020–). Teaching: Leads courses like Introduction to Art History and Scottish Visual History , emphasizing early modern British art and material culture.

Ian AthertonView profile

Senior Lecturer

• Early Modern British History
• History of Religion and Cathedrals
• Memory Studies
• +3 more

Dr. Ian Atherton is a Senior Lecturer in Early Modern History at Keele University's School of Humanities, specializing in British cathedrals, religious conflict, and the memory of war. He has held roles including Postgraduate Director, Director of Education (2017–21), and Secretary for the Humanities Faculty (2000–01). His research explores early modern cathedral adaptation, battlefield commemoration from the 14th century to present, and religious-political dynamics in 17th-century Britain. He has supervised postgraduate research on topics like the English Civil War logistics, cathedral charities, and regional conflict memory. Teaching spans undergraduate and postgraduate modules including 'The English Civil War,' 'History & Memory in Contemporary Culture,' and 'Death and Society in Medieval Europe.' He served as External Examiner at Birmingham and Bangor Universities and contributes to the board of Midland History. His publications include co-editing Norwich Cathedral: Church, City and Diocese (1996) and recent works on parish registers, battlefield commemoration, and interregnum church dynamics. Current research focuses on a book project tracing British battlefield memory over seven centuries, analyzing burial practices, memorial traditions, and post-conflict landscape transformations. His work bridges historical methodology with cultural studies, emphasizing how conflict legacies shape collective identity.

• Early Modern History
• English Civil War
• Church of England
• +5 more

Dr John G Reeks is a Senior Lecturer in Early Modern History within the Department of History at the University of Bristol's Faculty of Arts. He serves as Admissions Officer and Deputy Director of Teaching while maintaining active research in English parish church history and seventeenth-century political-religious dynamics. His research focuses on three core areas: The English Civil War with emphasis on Bristol's governance Seventeenth-century Church of England administrative and parish histories The history of University of Bristol historians from 1876-1957 Teaching covers early modern England and Europe across multiple undergraduate units including Witchcraft, Tudor World, and Wars of the Roses. His 11 research outputs primarily consist of scholarly book reviews analyzing interregnum Britain, parish charities, and religious dissent. Media engagements through BBC Radio Bristol demonstrate public history outreach regarding historical holidays and university heritage. External commitments include serving as External Examiner for History programs at Strode College (2016-2020).

Waseem AhmedView profile

Researcher

• 17th Century British Political History
• Popular Politics
• English Civil War and Interregnum
• +3 more

Waseem Ahmed is a PhD candidate at the University College London Department of History, researching 17th-century British political history. His work focuses on popular political agency during the 1650s, examining how ordinary individuals navigated successive regimes through everyday practices. Funded by UCL's Research Opportunity Scholarship, his thesis challenges traditional deference/resistance paradigms in historiography. Education: BA (First Class) and MA (Distinction) in History from the University of Birmingham. His undergraduate work explored Cromwellian factionalism, while his MA thesis analyzed Restoration accommodation strategies. He has taught undergraduate courses on Tudor-Stuart Britain and early modern global encounters at UCL and King's College London. Research interests emphasize collaboration theory, post-revisionist historiography, and the socio-political dynamics of 17th-century England. His publications include book reviews on revolutionary memory and contributions to material culture studies. Awards include the UCL Student Choice Award nomination for teaching excellence. Professional roles include organizing Levellers Day, editorial work for the Bibliography of British and Irish History , and co-convening conferences on Christopher Hill's legacy. He serves on the Cromwell Association council and advises on academic outreach programs.

Fiona McCallView profile

Lecturer

• Early Modern History
• Religious History
• Social History
• +5 more

Dr. Fiona McCall is a part-time Lecturer in Local History at the University of Oxford's Department for Continuing Education and a part-time Lecturer in Early Modern History at the University of Portsmouth's School of Social, Historical and Literary Studies. She holds a D.Phil from Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford (2008), a Physics degree from Durham University, and a humanities degree from the Open University. Her academic journey includes prior roles at Newman University (Birmingham) and the University of Reading. McCall's research focuses on religious and social conflicts in 16th-17th century England, particularly anti-clericalism, parish dynamics during the Civil War, and loyalist resistance. She leads a British Academy-funded project analyzing parish-level resistance to religious reforms (1640s-50s) and co-edits Archbishop Parker's 1561 clergy survey for the Church of England Record Society under a Leverhulme grant. Her publications explore themes of clerical persecution, royalist satire, and community memory. McCall's work demonstrates consistent focus on religious conflict and social adaptation during England's turbulent mid-17th century. Her archival methodology reveals microhistories of persecution and resilience, particularly through local records like churchwardens' accounts and parliamentary documents. Awards & Recognition: Samuel Pepys Prize shortlist (2013) for monograph Baal's Priests: The Loyalist Clergy and the English Revolution She teaches courses on the English Civil War, crime/punishment, and local history methodologies. At Oxford, she tutors for the Online Advanced Diploma in Local History and organizes conferences including 'Shakespearian Communities' (2016) and 'The People All Changed: Religion in 1650s Britain'.

Marjon AmesView profile

Teaching Professor

• Late Medieval and Early Modern Europe
• British and Atlantic World
• Religious Reform Movements
• +3 more

Dr. Marjon Ames is a Teaching Professor in the Department of History at Appalachian State University. She earned her Ph.D. in early modern and medieval religious history from the University of Mississippi. Her research examines radical religious communities in seventeenth-century Britain, with a specialization in women's roles within Quaker letter networks during the English Civil War and Interregnum periods. She actively contributes to the Women’s Early Modern Letters Online project at Oxford University and mentors first-generation college applicants. Education: Ph.D., University of Mississippi Research Focus: Dr. Ames investigates religious reform movements, gender dynamics in early modern Europe, and transatlantic communication networks. Her work emphasizes Quaker women's epistolary practices as tools for community-building and religious identity formation across Britain and the Atlantic World. Publications: Her scholarly output includes a monograph and a book chapter (both 2016) analyzing Quakerism’s evolution through letter networks. Publications consistently explore intersections of gender, religion, and communication in seventeenth-century upheavals. Professional Service: Beyond research, she supports first-generation students in college admissions and contributes to digital humanities initiatives like the Women’s Early Modern Letters Online archive.

• Early Modern History
• Political History
• Religious History
• +4 more

Dr. David Scott is a Senior Research Fellow in Early Modern History at the University of Buckingham and concurrently serves as a Senior Research Fellow at The History of Parliament in London. His academic journey includes a BA and DPhil from the University of York, followed by teaching positions at the universities of York and Leeds. He has held prestigious affiliations as a Visiting Fellow at Yale University and Senior Research Associate at Peterhouse, University of Cambridge. His research specializes in: The political and religious dynamics of Stuart Britain The British Civil Wars of the 17th century State formation and the rise of British global power from 1485-1783 His scholarly output includes major books analyzing British statecraft and conflict, with research consistently centered on early modern political transformations. Publication analysis reveals deep engagement with state-building, religious conflict, and imperial expansion across two centuries. Notable recognition: His 2004 monograph was selected as a Sunday Telegraph Book of the Year He maintains active participation in historical discourse through London press reviews and resides in Oxford.