Call for Applications: HistoryLab+ and HistoryUK Committee Roles

HistoryLab+ and HistoryUK have together developed a UK-wide survey of the support and access to resources available to historical researchers post-PhD.

HistoryLab+ is the UK’s national network for early career historians (ECHs). It is open to people (a) approaching the end of their doctorate in History (or a related subject) or (b) with a doctorate in History (or a related subject), in the early stages of their career in any sector. The committee works with the network’s parent institution, the Institute of Historical Research (IHR), with learned societies, and with professionals across the education, GLAM, media, and other sectors to provide members with tailored support, including

• career development training,
• networking opportunities,
• resources,
• and a programme of events showcasing recent historical research and projects in a wide variety of specialisms.

HistoryUK is the independent national body promoting and monitoring the discipline of History in the UK’s higher education sector. It is funded by History departments or their equivalents and campaigns on issues of concern to academic historians and the broader history community, particularly in the following areas:

• the profile of History in higher education and beyond
• the state of the profession, particularly the recruitment and career development of undergraduates, postgraduates, researchers and staff
• research culture, including the research resources available to historians and the impact of the Research Excellence Framework
• teaching and learning within the discipline, especially the impact of the National Student Survey and Teaching Excellence Framework
• audit culture, to ensure that the demands of external audit and quality measurement are appropriate to the discipline and light in touch

Diversity Officer

This role involves the following tasks and responsibilities:

• Help event organisers with publicity materials, to ensure that all relevant access information is included

• Liaise with event organisers, the Institute of Historical Research, and/or other hosting institutions to ensure that participants’ access needs are met

• Work with all Communications Officers and the Institute of Historical Research to adjust the information available on or wording of registration pages in order to make registrants more open to sharing access information

• Responsibility for how / long relevant information is stored

• Attend each committee meeting (tri-annual, online) and the AGM (online)

• Submit a report to each meeting

Regional Ambassadors

Regional Ambassadors are sought for East Anglia, Midlands, North-East England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, South-West England, and Wales, but the committee is open to establishing Regional Ambassadors for any UK region, as defined by you.

This role involves the following tasks and responsibilities:

• Work with Membership Officer to increase membership of HistoryLab+ (e.g. by establishing lines of communication with Humanities departments / university careers services in your region)

• Support the organisation of any events taking place in person in your region

• Attend each committee meeting (tri-annual, online) and the AGM (online)

• Submit a report to each meeting

To apply for either role, please write to the Co-Chairs, Mike Reeve and Alex Riggs, at historylabplus.ihr@gmail.com with up to 500 words reflecting on the experiences and skills that make you right for the relevant position. You are also most welcome to get in touch with Mike or Alex if you have any questions at all about a role or the application process.