About us

History SPOT is a learning and training platform for historians, based around the core activities of the Institute of Historical Research (IHR). 

The IHR was set up in 1921 by A F Pollard with the vision to function as a ‘history laboratory’, experimenting with new ideas and methodologies and leading the history profession in innovative and exciting directions.  The advent of digital technology has now reached the point where we can take Pollard’s vision beyond the physical confines of our home in London and out to those in other parts of the country and worldwide.  

The name SPOT stands for Seminar Podcasts and Online Training, which is exactly the combination of resources provided here, for free.  With well over 50 research seminar groups holding sessions at least once a month (term time), a varied yearly programme of conferences culminating in the annual Anglo-American Conference, and various lectures, workshops and symposia the IHR is well positioned to provide research intensive podcasts intended not only for undergraduate tuition but for researchers, postgraduates and the general public.  

In addition History SPOT contains a range of freely-available Historical Research Handbooks (HRH) providing the latest advice, guidance and tuition on a range of topics of interest to history scholars, students and the general public.  These Handbooks provide detailed step-by-step guidelines for specific research tasks.      

For students registered on our research training courses History SPOT also provides additional materials, exercises and advice related to your topic of interest. 

BUT there is more to History SPOT than only the provision of resources and materials.  The IHR believes that digital communities can and should be built if the most is to be made of resources online.  History SPOT therefore provides a collaborative and interactive experience where users can discuss, debate and meet with others interested in the same topics.  History SPOT also allows registered users to create their own content, pull in resources from elsewhere on the website and create and maintain their own blogs, forum discussions, and resources.

 

Project history and development 

History SPOT was launched in March 2011 thanks to a grant from an anonymous donor to develop the IHR’s online presence (and especially to widen participation of its research seminar programmes).  It was soon decided that we would use this donation to develop two core areas of the IHR’s remit.  The first was to widen knowledge of and participation in our internationally renowned research seminars through the use of podcasting, live streamed events, and vodcasting (video).  The second was to provide, for the first time, free access to content from our research training modules and courses. 

Under the management of Dr Jane Winters (Head of Publications), Dr Mark Merry (Digital Projects and Training Officer) was contracted to scope the current provision of online research training courses and materials and to develop ideas on how to proceed.  At the same time Dr Matt Phillpott was hired to manage the History SPOT project and to scope the current status of podcasting in the history profession (both documents are available from our Documents section).  The pilot phase lasted one year (March 2010 - March 2011), with a second phase secured through a grant provided from the University of London’s Dean's Development Fund, to develop online only training courses to work alongside our face-to-face courses. 

In collaboration with ULCC (University of London Computer Centre) the History SPOT platform was developed using the latest Open Source systems: a combination of Drupal (content management system), Moodle (virtual learning environment), and Mahara (e-portfolio).  Each system was chosen for its ability to provide the context and requirements for our resources to be displayed and used. 

Our first attempts at podcasting were made with our 2009 Anglo-American Conference but it was the Voluntary Action History Seminar group (VAHS) that was initially our greatest ally in building up a library of podcasts from the IHR research seminar programme.  The VAHS, under the leadership and support of George Campbell Gosling, championed the use of podcasting as a means for widening participation and knowledge in the subject of Voluntary Action.  During the pilot phase of the project eight IHR seminar groups and two external groups became equally involved. 

  • British History in the Long 18th Century
  • History of Libraries
  • Metropolitan History
  • Military History
  • Philosophy of History
  • Psychoanalysis and History
  • Sport and Leisure History
  • Voluntary Action History
  • Global History (with Notre Dame and Warwick)
  • Franco-British History (Paris IV)

 

Project team

The project is managed by Dr Jane Winters, Head of Publications, with Dr Matt Phillpott acting as Project Officer for the development and day to day running of History SPOT.  It is also supported by the IHR Digital team, with research training material managed by Dr Mark Merry and Dr Simon Trafford of the IHR Research Training Programme.  Design and development is provided by the University of London Computer Centre (ULCC), specifically Matt Hull, and IHR Digital’s Martin Steer. 

 

Project blog

Keep in touch with all the latest developments by visiting the History SPOT Blog.  The blog was originally developed by Dr Matt Phillpott, History SPOT Project Officer as a record of the pilot phase of the project but quickly developed to include regular updates and summaries of the podcasted seminars (the SPOT Newsletter).  Since the launch of History SPOT in March 2011 the blog has once again taken on the role of recording developments in History SPOT.