Kieran Connell

Dr Kieran Connell is an Associate Professor of Contemporary British History at Queen's University Belfast's School of History, Anthropology, Philosophy and Politics. He specializes in post-war British history, focusing on race, immigration, multiculturalism, and popular culture. His research has been supported by major grants including the British Academy and Fulbright Commission. He has authored influential works such as Black Handsworth: race in 1980s Britain (2019) and Multicultural Britain: A People's History (2024), which explores the socio-cultural dynamics of multiculturalism through public history projects. Dr Connell has curated exhibitions like Janet Mendelsohn: Varna Road (2016) and contributed to BBC documentaries. He holds prestigious fellowships from the Royal Historical Society and Higher Education Academy.

Research Interests:

• Race and immigration policies
• Urban history and spatial politics
• New Left intellectual movements
• Cultural studies and transnational networks
• Public engagement through media and exhibitions

Recent Projects:

• "The Rushdie Affair and the Making of Multicultural Britain" (2023–present)
• "Past, present and future: connecting communities with shared histories" (2016–present)

Awards:

• Shortlisted for the Whitfield Prize (2019)
• Agility Fund Grant (2022)
• Fellow of the Royal Historical Society (2023)

Teaching: Dr Connell teaches courses on post-war Britain, race relations, and cultural history, including modules like 'There Ain't No Black in the Union Jack' and From Blitz to Blair.