Conor O'Brien

Conor O'Brien is an Associate Professor in the Early Medieval History of the British Isles and North Atlantic World at the University of Oxford's Department of History, affiliated with The Queen's College. He holds a doctorate from Oxford, focusing on Bede's writings about the Jewish temple, which led to his award-winning book. His research explores how religious ideas shaped early medieval societies and challenges assumptions about the separation of religion and secular governance. He has held fellowships at Churchill College (Cambridge) and Durham University, and taught at Sheffield and King’s College London before returning to Oxford in 2020.

• Education: BA in History and English (University College Cork), PhD in History (University of Oxford)

His research focuses on the interplay of religion, identity, and power in early medieval Europe. Current projects include The Rise of Christian Kingship, 400-850 (OUP, under contract), examining secularizing strategies in early medieval contexts, and future work on the Insular Easter Controversy's impact on group identity.

Awards: 2017 Best Book Prize (International Society of Anglo-Saxonists).

Teaching: Offers undergraduate courses on medieval history, religious anthropology, and Bede's historical contributions. Open to mentoring students in early medieval religion and pre-Viking British-Irish history.