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2016 Birkbeck Hobsbawm scholars announced

Scholarships aim to encourage and support historians at the college through removing financial barriers to study and research

Professor Eric Hobsbawm

A new group of postgraduate history students supported by Hobsbawm Scholarships has been announced.

Funded by contributions from across Birkbeck’s community of friends, alumni and supporters, the Scholarships – in their third year and in memory of Professor Eric Hobsbawm, former President of the College – aim to encourage and support historians at the college through removing financial barriers to study and research.

Eleven students – nearly double the number supported last year – will benefit from scholarships this year. This includes four studying post-graduate taught Master’s degrees and seven pursing study at PhD level.

The Scholarships were set up following the death of Professor Hobsbawm in 2012 as a way for alumni and friends of Birkbeck to create a fitting legacy in recognition of his contribution to college life.

This year, four students have been awarded full fee scholarships: Gabriella Romano for an MRes in the Department of History, Classics and Archaeology; Claire Gayle for the MA Archaeological Practice programme; Zehra Miah for the MA European History programme; and Aaron Skepple for the MA World History course.

Nearly twice as many PhD students have been awarded scholarships this year compared to 2015, with seven students receiving funding towards their studies. One of the recipients is Calum Wright, 26.

He says: “My research focuses on comparing English and Scottish political thought before and during the English Civil War. It was an interesting period because the two countries were united under the rule of one monarch, but to a large extent were still very separate.

“I have been looking at particular in the idea of conscience and how it has been used in this period to justify opposition to the rule of the king.

“I was particularly drawn to the history department at Birkbeck because it has a good academic reputation and because the potential supervisor I approached was passionate and enthusiastic about my research idea. She was also one of the few academics specialising in comparative Scottish and English history, which is rare.

“I’m incredibly grateful to receive a Hobsbawm Scholarship this year. I have used the funds for a research trip to Edinburgh for a week in February to use archives across the city. While there I uncovered a document which potentially throws new light on Scottish perspectives on the divine right of kings. I’m working on the implications of this in my research.”

Commenting on the award of the scholarships, Professor Frank Trentmann in the Birkbeck Department of History, Classics and Archaeology, said:

“Each and every contribution from across the Birkbeck community towards the Hobsbawm Scholarships enables the College to fulfil our mission – enabling any student, irrespective of background or their financial situation, to study with us.

“It is particularly gratifying that the generosity of the community means we’ve been able to support nearly a dozen students with their studies this year. Our thanks to all those who have contributed.”

The appointment of the scholars follows from the Eric Hobsbawm Memorial Lecture, this year held in Senate House on May 25, featuring a presentation from Professor Richard J Evans of of Wolfson College, Cambridge, and Provost of Gresham College, London. Professor Evans spoke on the topic: “European History in the Age of Hobsbawm”. Listen to a podcast of the lecture here.

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