Policy Papers
History & Policy papers are written by expert historians, based on peer-reviewed research. They offer historical insights into current policy issues ranging from Afghanistan and Iraq, climate change and internet surveillance to family dynamics, alcohol consumption and health reforms. For historians interested in submitting a paper, please see the editorial guidelines.
Currently, 252 papers are freely searchable by theme, author or keyword, with new papers published regularly. Where possible, we publish papers to coincide with relevant policy developments. If you are a policy maker, civil society practitioner or journalist and would like to contact one of our historians, please contact historyandpolicy@london.ac.uk.
You can download H&P policy papers directly from the Apple iBooks store to your iPhone, iPad or Mac. We also have an Amazon Kindle version to download to your PC for transfer to your Kindle via USB cable. Please consult your Kindle manual for further details.
Alas, poor Europe
Europe on its 60th birthday – the anniversary of the Treaty of Rome falls on 25 March. Eirini Karamouzi and Luc-Andre Brunet look back at Europe’s capacity for reinvention and ask what comes next.
Read MoreA contested relationship: the UK Labour party and small business
Richard Beresford argues that, contrary to what one might suppose, Labour's relationship with small businesses goes back to their earliest days.
Read MoreWhistle-blowing in the National Health Service since the 1960s
Claire Hilton traces the similarities between problems in the NHS in the 1960s and those today, and suggests how effective whistle-blowing systems can drive change.
Read MoreWomen in Parliament since 1945: have they changed the debate?
Luke Blaxill and Kaspar Beelen trace the existence of gendered topics in Parliamentary debate – and discover who speaks on them – using computerised textual analysis on speeches since 1945.
Read MoreBrexit and the history of policing the Irish border
Since 1949, there have been no immigration restrictions between the UK and the Republic of Ireland. Evan Smith looks at what Brexit could mean for the Good Friday agreement and Anglo-Irish relations.
Read MoreMen, mental illness and suicide: the current scene in historical context
Despite the fact that the male suicide rate is now more than three times higher than the female rate, precious little has been done to tackle the stigma amongst men of discussing mental health issues. Dr. Ali Hagget asks why.
Read MoreThe Trade Union Bill 2015: echoes of the General Strike?
Adrian Williamson QC asks what lessons Cameron can learn from Baldwin’s Conservative government and their passing of the Trade Disputes and Trade Unions Act (1927) regarding the forthcoming Trade Union Bill (2015).
Read MoreCensorship and National Security: Information Control in the Second World War and Present Day
How much should citizens know about the activities of governments? Henry Irving and Judith Townend look back to light-touch press censorship during World War Two and draw out its relevance for today.
Read MoreUniversity fees in historical perspective
Prof. Robert Anderson looks at the history of university tuition fees and asks whether the restoration of free higher education in England is politically possible, or indeed, desireable.
Read MoreFood Poisoning: An On-going Saga
Prof. Anne Hardy examines historical outbreaks of food poisoning, and questions why the United Kingdom lags behind Scandanavia in terms of prevention.
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About Us
H&P is based at the Institute of Historical Research, Senate House, University of London.
We are the only project in the UK providing access to an international network of more than 500 historians with a broad range of expertise. H&P offers a range of resources for historians, policy makers and journalists.
