Helen Brooks

Dr. Helen Brooks is a Researcher at the University of Kent's School of Arts, affiliated with the Gateways to the First World War public engagement centre. Her work focuses on uncovering forgotten cultural histories of World War I, particularly through theatre and performance. She leads the Great War Theatre project, which identified nearly 3,000 wartime plays from 1914–1918, revealing their role in shaping public understanding of the conflict.

Her research emphasizes collaborative public engagement, involving community groups in re-staging plays and exploring their societal impact. This work was featured in Dan Snow’s 2018 documentary Untold Stories of World War I, produced by History Hit.

Funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), the Gateways project highlights interdisciplinary approaches to historical inquiry, blending academic rigor with accessible public scholarship. Brooks’ contributions bridge academic and community-driven historical exploration, emphasizing theatre’s role as a mirror to societal attitudes during wartime.