Christian O'Connell

Christian O'Connell serves as Academic Course Leader in History and Senior Lecturer in American History at the University of Gloucestershire's School of Humanities and Social Sciences. His academic career focuses on the transatlantic dimensions of American culture, particularly examining how American cultural elements have traveled and influenced societies beyond U.S. borders.

His educational background includes a BA (Hons) in Geography from the University of Leeds (2001), an MA in American Studies from King's College London (2006), a PhD in History from the University of Gloucestershire (2012), and a PGCert in PGCAP from the University of Gloucestershire (2015). O'Connell's research interests span American social, cultural and political history with specializations in the relationship between democracy and slavery from the Revolution to the Civil War; Reconstruction and the 'New South'; conflict, capitalism and culture in the 'American Century'; and the 20th century African American experience.

O'Connell's scholarly work demonstrates a consistent focus on transatlantic cultural connections, particularly examining representations of American culture in Britain and the experiences of African American GIs in Europe during WWII. His publications reveal a trajectory moving from blues music studies toward broader examinations of cultural exchange, race relations, and memory, with recent work focusing on local history projects in Gloucestershire and legacies of transatlantic slavery.

• HOTCUS Article Prize 2022 for 'A Roman Holiday?'
• International History Review Research Award 2019
• Fulbright-Elon Scholar Award (Jan-May 2016)
• BAAS/UCL Institute of the Americas Visiting Fellow, 2015
• BAAS Short-Term Travel Award 2011
• Eccles Centre Postgraduate Awards in North American Studies 2011

As an academic leader, O'Connell serves as executive committee member of the European Blues Association (which cares for the Paul Oliver Collection of African American Music at Oxford Brookes) and sits on the Steering Committee of History UK, the national body promoting History in UK Higher Education. He actively collaborates with local organizations including the Gloucester History Festival and Voices Gloucester on community-based history projects. His current work includes contributing to Gloucester's monuments review by examining legacies of transatlantic slavery in the city, demonstrating his commitment to public history and community engagement.