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.
The Right to Buy: History and Prospect
The Conservatives have announced proposals to extend the Right to Buy (RTB) to housing association tenants. Prof. Alan Murie argues that, as with previous Right To Buy schemes, the long term costs of dismantling the public and social rented sector will result in increased public funds being used to finance this extension to housing associations.
Read MoreStudent solidarity across borders: Students, universities and refugee crises past and present
The current refugee crisis poses difficult questions about integration strategies. Georgina Brewis draws inspiration from how students and universities responded to past crises.
Read MoreHistory matters… but which one? Every refugee crisis has a context
Today's European refugee crisis is often compared to the exodus catalysed by the Nazi regime or the Cold War. Jessica Reinisch argues that the flight of Syrians, Eritreans and others is only superficially similar to past crises. Nonetheless, there are striking continuities in how states respond to refugees, she argues.
Read More‘For God’s sake, act like Britain’ Lessons from the 1960s for British defence policy
Policy makers today need to balance proliferating military responsibilities on modest budgets. Longinotti considers the lessons from the 1960s when the Wilson Government found itself in a similar situation.
Read MoreThe legacy of 1885: girls and the age of sexual consent
The age of sexual consent – 16 years – has remained since 1885 despite concerns today regarding child sexual abuse and teenage pregnancy. Dr Victoria Bates warns against drawing direct comparisons with this 130-year-old law to promote or resist change to the age of consent.
Read MoreScandals and silences: the British press and child sexual abuse
Until the 1970s British press coverage of child sexual abuse was ‘scanty, timid and evasive’. This failure to treat abuse as a serious problem has changed. But according to Dr Adrian Bingham, of Sheffield University, elements of this earlier journalistic culture remain today.
Read MoreChild welfare, child protection and sexual abuse, 1918-1990
Across the twentieth century, poor coordination among social workers, welfare charities and doctors meant that most child sexual abuse was undetected. When cases did come to light, the response was often inadequate. While the situation has changed, Dr Lucy Delap argues that some past practices and beliefs remain, risking child safety today.
Read MoreChild sexual abuse in England and Wales: prosecution and prevalence 1918-1970
Why were the courts and police so slow to act on child sexual abuse? Dr Louise Jackson, of the University of Edinburgh, reviews the twentieth century criminal justice system in England and Wales.
Read More‘Troubled compensation:’ awarding pensions after political conflict in Ireland
Policy makers planning a pension scheme for victims of the Northern Ireland Troubles could learn from the mistakes of a similar system for conflict-related injury in 1920s Ireland, argues Dr Marie Coleman of Queen’s University Belfast.
Read MoreThe case for Brexit: lessons from the 1960s and 1970s
Contrary to Eurosceptic opinion today, the UK did not stumble blindly into the EEC in 1973, nor vote to stay on a false prospectus, argues Dr Adrian Williamson, who considers lessons from the country’s original engagement with Europe.
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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.
