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.
Tackling truancy: why have the millions invested not paid off?
Introduction In February 2005 the National Audit Office (NAO) published its report, 'Improving School Attendance in England' which noted that absence rates in state schools had shown little consistent improvement over the preceding eight years of the Labour government, despite total spending on strategies to improve attendance costing £885m. This figure has now passed £1 […]
Read MoreGordon Brown and the credit crunch in historical perspective
Introduction In 1977, a group called Counteract released a satirical LP called The Cuts Show, in protest against the Callaghan government's squeeze on public spending. One song, 'Labour Party History', reviewed the story of Labour in power since World War Two. It is sung as if by the party's leaders and begins with the optimism […]
Read MoreTwo Cheers for Democracy: involvement and interest in British politics since 1918
Introduction It seems widely accepted today that governments, parties and politicians are distrusted, even despised, to an extent that is unprecedented. Turnout at the 2001 general election fell dramatically to its lowest level since the First World War, when less than six in ten people bothered to vote. The situation in local elections is worse […]
Read MoreWhy history matters – and why medieval history also matters
Introduction Why History Matters is thought provoking and challenging, in its insistent and urgent call for a closer engagement between history and public political discourse. It makes a strong case that an informed and nuanced sense of history is an essential part of civic empowerment, developing the remit of 'public history' far from its default […]
Read MoreHow history matters now
Introduction When I gave a short talk in May at the launch of John Tosh's intriguing book Why History Matters, I began with a personal story in order to illustrate the direct ways in which the past shapes lives and how it does so in complex ways. When it comes to families, there is frequently […]
Read MoreWhy history matters
Introduction This is a book about the practical rationale of historical knowledge in contemporary Britain. To a considerable extent it was inspired – and indeed made possible – by the material which History & Policy has placed in the public domain over the past five years. In the book I make explicit the assumptions about […]
Read MoreTorture and intelligence gathering in Western democracies
Calder Walton examines the history of intelligence gathering and argues that using torture in interrogation produces unreliable evidence and is ultimately counter-productive for intelligence gathering.
Read MoreThe ‘credit crunch’ and the importance of trust
Geoffrey Hosking puts the current financial crisis in historical context and shows that it can be understood as a stage in a cycle of trust. He suggests that the best solution is to broaden and democratise the exercise of trust, to ensure that the benefits of globalisation are shared with developing countries.
Read MoreHow to talk about redistribution: a historical perspective
Ben Jackson's paper shows how politicians can talk about economic redistribution without scaring voters, by drawing on the speeches of progressive leaders of the past.
Read MoreHosepipes, history and a sustainable future
Introduction On 11 July 1921, a Metropolitan Water Board inspector noticed water pouring down the gutter of a Belgravia mews. On closer investigation, he found a chauffeur, Joseph Gorton, washing a car with 'a hose-pipe … thrown down by the side of it, the water still running'. The water 'was allowed to run to waste', […]
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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.
