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 [email protected].
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.
How technology has been used to deny benefits to the disabled
Technology is never neutral, says Coreen McGuire. Technologies and measurement systems with in-built bias have been used to define medical conditions, and limit access to compensation, throughout twentieth-century medical history.
Read MoreThe uses of historical research in child abuse inquiries
Gordon Lynch and a group of historians from across the world reflect on their roles in Inquiries into non-recent child abuse, and the tensions that can exist between historical research and the other purposes Inquiries serve
Read MoreSceptical yet supportive: understanding public attitudes to charity
Debates about the role and behaviour of charities are ongoing, alongside great public generosity such as in the recent case of veteran Captain Tom Moore's sponsored walk. The public needs to be better informed so that the debate is less ideological, say Beth Breeze and John Mohan.
Read MoreCovid-19 and the UK national debt in historical context
Duncan Needham traces the history of the National Debt – expected to exceed GDP in the course of the Covid crisis – and shows that the UK is capable of recovering from debt levels as high or higher, with the right instruments.
Read MoreThe perils of integration policies: migration to Britain and Germany since 1949
Marc Collinson and Nikolaos Papadogiannis outline two contrasting immigration histories, and suggest that the narrow concept of 'integration' should be replaced by a wider, richer sense of 'reciprocity'.
Read MoreCall it what it is – supermarket rationing
State-backed rationing is already with us in response to Coronavirus-related shortages, says Mark Roodhouse – and the First World War holds a warning about this model.
Read MoreThe real lessons of the Blitz for Covid-19
A roundtable of experts in the UK's emergency civil defence response during the Second World War explores lessons for the current crisis.
Read MoreThe ‘rough sex’ defence: lessons from history
A recent high profile case highlights the controversial history of defences for murder, says Adrian Williamson
Read MoreNormalising bottle return and reuse: lessons from the Victorians on the limits of voluntary schemes
Parliament is examining proposals for voluntary bottle return schemes to reduce packaging waste – but Tom Licence says voluntary schemes have been tried before, and government intervention is needed
Read MoreThe BBC World Service and Global Britain
Gordon Johnston shows that the BBC World Service's reputation has historically rested on independence from government – a critical point as funding arrangements come under review
Read More
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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.
