The Raphael Samuel History Centre has been relaunched in September 2008 as a three-way partnership between the University of East London (UEL), Birkbeck, University of London and the Bishopsgate Institute.

 

At the same time, this website will be re-designed to reflect these changes.

 

The partnership will enable an expansion of the Centre's existing work, as well as some new departures. There are plans for new research projects into the Thames gateway and domesticity in the capital, a new urban studies seminar, a London local history database, and 'Young Historians' events for schools. The aim is to for the centre to become a national hub for historians working at all levels.

 

The current Raphael Samuel History Centre programme, including the successful annual Raphael Samuel Memorial Lecture will continue. In recent years, lectures have been given by eminent historians including Janet L Nelson, Stuart Hall, Christopher Bayly and the late Roy Porter.

 

Existing links with other institutions will be strengthened and new connections fostered both within and beyond the university sector, with the aim of transforming the Raphael Samuel History Centre into one of the UK's most dynamic centres for historical research.

 

Barbara Taylor, director of the Raphael Samuel History Centre and Professor of History at UEL, said: "We are delighted to welcome Birkbeck and Bishopsgate Institute into this ambitious venture."

 

Birkbeck's Dr Matt Cook, who will join Professor Taylor as joint director in September, added: "I'm very excited to be part of this initiative: the Raphael Samuel Centre already has a great reputation, and this new partnership will allow it to move forward with some really innovative new work."

 

Andrew Fuller, Chief Executive of Bishopsgate Institute, where the Centre will be based, said: 'We are delighted to be part of this initiative which builds on the already fruitful relationship we have with UEL and the RSHC and which will continue to make accessible to everyone the rich material contained in our archives on East London history as well as the Raphael Samuel archive itself.'

 

Background

In 1995 the historian Raphael Samuel created a centre for east London history in the School of Social Sciences, Media and Cultural Studies at the University of East London. Following his death in 1996, the Raphael Samuel History Centre was founded to continue his work. In the years since, the RSHC has become a leading centre for London history, memory studies and psychoanalytic approaches to history. It has a rich programme of seminars, conferences, and outreach activities, many in conjunction with Bishopsgate Institute (where the Raphael Samuel archive is housed) and the Institute of Historical Research. It also has strong links with History Workshop Journal, the Docklands Museum, London, and the History & Policy network.

 

The University of East London (UEL) is a global learning community, with over 21,000 students from 120 countries world-wide. We are a successful and inclusive University proud of our diversity, committed to new modes of learning which focus on students and enhance their employability, and renowned for our contribution to social, cultural and economic development, locally, nationally and internationally, especially through our research and advanced scholarship. We have a strong track-record in widening participation and working with industry.

 

Birkbeck, University of London, founded in 1823, has an unparalleled track record of successfully teaching adult students part-time, face-to-face in the evenings. Birkbeck enables 19,000 students from diverse social and educational backgrounds to participate in a broad range of higher education. Renowned for its world class research, it is a vibrant centre of academic excellence. Over 90% of Birkbeck academics are research active and more than 80% of the research carried out at Birkbeck is rated as being of international importance.

Birkbeck Stratford: In 2007 Birkbeck, in partnership with the University of East London, brought its part-time evening teaching provision to east London, to provide east Londoners with additional opportunities to study close to where they live and work, and gain a University of London qualification.

The Bishopsgate Institute is a Grade II* listed Arts and Crafts style building just two minutes walk from Liverpool Street station and Spitalfields Market. The Institute has been providing a meeting place for people with shared interests in learning and culture since 1895. We continue to do this in the present day through our Courses for Adults programme and regular cultural events. The Institute is also home to the historic Bishopsgate Library, which alongside the Raphael Samuel archive, is home to world renowned collections on London, labour, free-thought, freethought and humanist movements.