معرفی
Laura Gillespie is a historian and academic currently serving as Postdoctoral Research Assistant (Archival) at the School of Humanities, University of Hull, working on the Brightening the Covenant Chain project. She will soon take up a position as Lecturer in Modern American History at Liverpool John Moores University, where she will teach 20th-century U.S. history and supervise student dissertations.
Education:
- PhD in History, Queen’s University Belfast
- MA in History (American Strand), Queen’s University Belfast
- Joint BA (Hons.) in English and History, Queen’s University Belfast
Her research centers on the politicization of enslaved people in Civil War-era 'contraband' camps, exploring how African Americans developed distinct political identities and engaged in diplomacy with the federal government. She investigates intersections of sovereignty, law, and geography, contributing to broader understandings of race, freedom, and nation-building in 19th-century America. Her work also extends to Indigenous histories and archival methodologies, particularly through transnational archival research in institutions across North America.
The limited publication data shows a recent article on the Indian Citizenship Act, reflecting her interest in legal recognition, Indigenous rights, and 20th-century U.S. policy. This aligns with broader themes in her scholarship concerning marginalized communities and state-legitimized inclusion.
Scientific Awards and Recognitions:
- Department for the Economy for Northern Ireland PhD Studentship
- Larmor University Scholarship (2017–2019)
- Helen Turtle Ramsey Scholarship (2018)
Laura Gillespie has served as an Associate Lecturer for the MA Arts Management Programme at Queen’s University Belfast and has supervised academic work. She was awarded Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy in 2021, recognizing her teaching excellence. Her archival research has been supported by major fellowships and has taken her to premier institutions such as the Newberry Library, Harvard’s Peabody Museum, Library and Archives Canada, and the Royal Ontario Museum. These efforts support significant scholarly outputs, including a forthcoming research monograph.
She is actively involved in research teams through the Brightening the Covenant Chain project, which focuses on Indigenous themes and transatlantic archival collaboration. Her work emphasizes deep engagement with primary sources and cross-institutional partnerships to illuminate underrepresented historical narratives.
