History Extra Podcast: "Funding Cuts and Culture Wars: History Behind the Headlines"
Release Date: March 31, 2025
Host: Matt Elton
Introduction
In this compelling episode of the History Extra podcast, hosted by Matt Elton, the conversation pivots to the pressing challenges facing the study and teaching of history in the United Kingdom. Titled "Funding Cuts and Culture Wars: History Behind the Headlines," the episode delves deep into the financial strains on university history departments and the intricate interplay between politics and historical discourse. Joining Matt are two esteemed historians, Hannah Skoda, a fellow and tutor in medieval history at St John's College, Oxford, and Rana Mitter, the St. Lee Chair in US-Asia Relations at the Harvard Kennedy School specializing in modern Chinese history. The episode also features insights from Lucy Noakes, the president of the Royal Historical Society.
Current State of History in UK Universities
The episode opens with Matt Elton setting the stage for a critical examination of the academic landscape for historians in Britain. He references recent headlines concerning potential closures of university history departments and the overarching funding challenges that threaten the future of historical studies.
Hannah Skoda acknowledges the precarious moment historians find themselves in, noting, "we are living through this moment... a moment at which we are kind of broadening out our sense of what history is and what it should be" (03:26). She emphasizes that while Oxford remains somewhat insulated from these struggles, many other institutions across the UK are grappling with significant cuts.
Rana Mitter provides an international perspective, contrasting the situation in the UK with that in the United States and China. She observes, "in the United States, there is still significant funding and support... while in China, history is used much more explicitly as a political tool" (04:54). This comparison underscores the unique challenges faced by British historians amidst global shifts.
Financial Challenges and Funding Cuts
The core of the discussion revolves around the alarming trend of declining funding for history departments. Lucy Noakes shares alarming statistics from the Royal Historical Society's recent report, "The Value of History," revealing that out of 66 surveyed departments, 39 have experienced cuts since 2020 (08:27). She highlights that these cuts are particularly severe in post-1992 universities, which traditionally had smaller budgets and student bodies.
Noakes further explains the multifaceted reasons behind these cuts, including the hostile environment for overseas students and the shift of domestic students toward larger Russell Group universities. She states, "the minimal changes that there have been in the funding model... means that universities are having a smaller and smaller funding pot to draw in" (12:26). This financial strain not only threatens existing programs but also stifles innovation and the expansion of historical studies.
Impact of Culture Wars on the History Profession
A significant portion of the episode is devoted to examining how contemporary culture wars have affected the study and perception of history. Lucy Noakes expresses mixed feelings about the increased publicity history has received due to these conflicts. While some argue that "no publicity is bad publicity," Noakes cautions against the politicization of historical discourse, noting that it creates a "no win situation for historians" (19:06).
Hannah Skoda adds that the culture wars have made it challenging to maintain trust in historical processes, comparing current debates to those of the Middle Ages. She references a 1430 letter from the University of Oxford advocating for universities to guide political decisions, juxtaposed with contemporary calls for academic independence from political entanglements (39:25). This historical parallel underscores the enduring tension between academia and politics.
Rana Mitter echoes these sentiments, highlighting the dangers of allowing history to become a tool for political agendas. She emphasizes that "history should really not be comfort reading" but rather a means to understand the complexities of human society (34:12).
International Perspectives on History Funding and Politics
Rana Mitter broadens the conversation by discussing how history is perceived and funded globally. She contrasts the UK's situation with that of China, where historical studies are tightly controlled by the state, limiting academic freedom. Mitter warns against complacency, suggesting that the UK must remain vigilant to prevent history from being co-opted for political ends (32:45).
Additionally, Mitter praises the UK's international reputation in historical scholarship, noting the global respect for British historians and institutions. She underscores the importance of maintaining a cosmopolitan approach to history, facilitated by robust funding and support, to preserve the UK's esteemed position in the academic world (34:12).
Quotes and Insights from Panelists
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Lucy Noakes:
- "History is a process. It's not something that stands still and that critiquing existing ideas is absolutely at the heart of historical practice" (20:07).
- "Increasingly it's becoming harder for people to actually get to archives... some departments are not even able to get £20 to go and travel to an archive in a nearby town" (20:50).
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Hannah Skoda:
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Rana Mitter:
- "The study of history in Britain is appreciated and respected around the wider world... it's why so many people come from around the world to do that" (25:51).
- "Understanding historical causation and consequence is a really important counter argument for those who work in the political sphere" (34:12).
Conclusion and Future Outlook
As the episode draws to a close, the panelists reflect on potential solutions and the future of historical studies in the UK. Lucy Noakes envisions a reinvigorated history landscape through increased investment and a rethinking of funding structures, aspiring for "history thriving in the UK in many ways" (23:14). She advocates for measures such as reinstating caps on student numbers to better manage university resources.
Hannah Skoda expresses hope for a continued trust in the historical profession, emphasizing the unique role historians play in enriching societal understanding and preserving the complexities of human experience (44:42).
Rana Mitter underscores the necessity of maintaining academic freedom and a cosmopolitan approach to history, urging for reforms that support both funding and the integrity of historical scholarship (42:53).
Matt Elton concludes by acknowledging the critical insights shared and the urgent need for collective action to safeguard the future of history as a vital academic discipline.
Takeaways
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Financial Strain: Significant funding cuts are threatening the existence of history departments, particularly in post-1992 universities.
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Culture Wars: Political polarization is undermining the trust in historical scholarship, making it difficult for historians to engage in unbiased analysis.
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International Respect: The UK's reputation in historical studies remains robust globally, but continued support is essential to maintain this standing.
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Call to Action: Panelists advocate for comprehensive reforms in funding models, increased investment in humanities, and policies that protect academic freedom to ensure the survival and growth of historical studies in the UK.
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Time Stamps Referenced:
- 03:26 - Hannah Skoda on the current moment for history.
- 04:54 - Rana Mitter’s international perspective.
- 08:27 - Lucy Noakes on funding cuts.
- 12:26 - Reasons behind university funding cuts.
- 19:06 - Culture wars' impact on history.
- 20:07 - Lucy Noakes on the nature of historical practice.
- 20:50 - Challenges accessing archives.
- 25:51 - Rana Mitter on international respect for UK history.
- 32:45 - Rana Mitter’s warnings on political influence.
- 34:12 - Importance of historical understanding in politics.
- 36:27 - Hannah Skoda on cosmopolitan learning.
- 39:25 - Hannah Skoda on historical debates over politics.
- 42:53 - Rana Mitter on the future of history in the UK.
- 44:42 - Hannah Skoda on trust in the historical profession.
- 23:14 - Lucy Noakes’ vision for history’s future.