Emma Robertson

Dr Emma Robertson is the Head of Department in the Department of Archaeology and History at La Trobe University's Bendigo campus. She holds a BA(Hons) from Durham University, an MA and PhD from the University of York (UK). Her research focuses on gender, labour, and cultural histories in modern Britain and the British Empire, with particular emphasis on women in male-dominated occupations and transnational histories of work. Her work includes seminal books like Chocolate, Women and Empire (2009) and co-authored BBC World Service: Overseas Broadcasting, 1932-2018 (2019). Currently leading an ARC-funded project exploring women in male-dominated industries in Britain and Australia since 1840.

Education:

• BA(Hons), University of Durham, UK
• MA, University of York, UK
• PhD, University of York, UK

Research Interests: Women's and gendered labour history, cultural histories of the British Empire, food manufacturing/consumption histories, migration studies, and transnational radio broadcasting. Recent projects include studies of women in transport industries, chocolate production, and BBC overseas broadcasting's gendered audiences.

Grants:

• ARC Discovery Project (2017–2023): 'Breaking Down Tradition: Women in male-dominated work, 1840–2000'

Professional Activities: Regular BBC interviewee on historical topics, member of the Australian Historical Association, and editorial board member for Labour History. Recent media engagements include BBC Woman's Hour, Focus on Africa, and ABC Melbourne.