The History UK Disability and History Project was launched in November 2023 in response to the History UK EDI report which identified disability as an important aspect of EDI work worthy of further investigation. It is co-funded by the Royal Historical Society.
The aims of the study is to better understand a) the experiences of disabled, chronically ill (any long term health condition), D/deaf, Blind/partially sighted, neurodivergent students and staff in history departments (or related units) in Higher Education Institutions and b) the teaching and studying of disability history in UK Higher Education. It builds on the History UK EDI Pedagogy Report that highlighted that disability and history was an area demanding further attention. We aim to produce a sector-wide report and generate policy recommendations.
The project is led by Dr Sarah Holland and supported by 3 project research fellows (Dr Alexandra Morris, Dr Sarah Hayward and Tilly Guthrie) and an Advisory Board.
The project team are currently undertaking background research, launching a survey and conducting focus groups.
Project updates will be added here during the project.
How to get involved:
Project survey
There are two surveys – one survey is aimed at all staff in history or history-related units in Higher Education (including early career historians whether currently employed in HE or not) and one survey is aimed at all history students.
In both instances, the surveys are open to people who identify as disabled or non-disabled.
The surveys will contribute to the HUK Disability and History Report – this will provide an evidence base for recommendations, which we hope can enhance experiences in HE and showcase examples of good practice.
Deadline for responses: 15 November 2024.
Please complete and share widely as every response matters:
History UK Disability and History Project Survey – Students
History UK Disability and History Project Survey – Staff
Focus groups
We are currently recruiting participants for the following focus groups taking place in Autumn 2024:
- experiences of disabled staff (including chronically ill, D/deaf, blind/partially sighted and neurodivergent) in history (and history-related) departments or historians in other departments
- experiences of disabled students studying and researching history at PhD level
- experiences of disabled staff and students who have left academia
- teaching and researching histories of disability – disabled and non-disabled staff and early career historians
Focus group findings will contribute to the History UK Disability and History Report. This will provide an evidence base for recommendations, which we hope can enhance experiences in HE and showcase examples of good practice.
If you are interested in participating in a focus group, then please email the project lead, Dr Sarah Holland (sarah.holland@nottingham.ac.uk) stating which focus group you would like to join and why.
Case studies and interviews – coming soon.