History & Policy works for better public policy through an understanding of history by connecting historians, policy makers and the media. We believe study of the past can offer important lessons for the 21st century.
We are the only project in the UK providing access to an international network of more than 360 historians with a broad range of expertise. H&P offers a range of resources for historians, policy makers and journalists. These include policy papers and opinion pieces.
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History & Policy in the Woods
18 May 2012
The uses and fate of English woodlands has inspired debate and dispute for centuries. This history has been brought to bear on the government's consideration of managing woods and forests today. H&P senior editor Paul Warde convened a group of scholars, campaigners and managers to present research to the Independent Panel on Forestry, which was established by DEFRA after the aborted consultation on forest management in early 2011.
Read the report: Cultural and Social Issues Affecting Woodland and Forest Policy in EnglandThe Queen's speech in historical perspective
15 May 2012
History & Policy aims to demonstrate that historians have something to contribute to almost every public policy issue. For a historical perspective on the areas highlighted in last week's Queen's Speech, why not explore our archive of over 130 policy papers?
Banking reform: see Ranald Michie and Simon Mollan's paper, British and American banking in historical perspective: beware of false precedents
Supermarket regulation: see Jane Hamlett et al, Regulating UK supermarkets: an oral history perspective
The Energy Bill, see Paul Warde, Low carbon futures and high carbon pasts: policy challenges in historical perspective
Pensions reforms, see Noel Whiteside, In search of security: earnings-related pensions in Britain and Europe and Hugh Pemberton, Politics and pensions in postwar Britain
Local government reform, see Jerry White, From Herbert Morrison to command and control: the decline of local democracy
Social care, see Pat Thane's submission to the Health Select Committee [pdf 109kb]
Voter registration, see Kevin Jefferys, Two cheers for democracy: involvement and interest in British politics since 1918
Lords reform, see Jon Lawrence, What is to be done with the second chamber?
Communications Bill, see Toni Weller, The Victorian information age: nineteenth century answers to today's information policy questions
Britain and the Eurozone, see Richard Roberts, A stable currency in search of a stable Empire? The Austro-Hungarian experience of monetary Union
No Bill for gay marriage, see Jeffrey Weeks, Wolfenden and beyond: the remaking of homosexual history
Meet the history programmers
BBC Radio 4 producers will visit King's College London on 23 May (10.30-12) to meet H&P historians. This is a great opportunity to discover the logistics of The Long View, Things We Forgot to Remember and Document, and to discuss your research in an informal setting with senior producers. To reserve a place or for more information: click here
Maurice Hankey: 'supreme organiser and creative bureaucrat'
18 April 2012
Jock Gardner's new article for the No. 10 Downing Street website considers the role of military officer-turned-Cabinet Secretary, Maurice Hankey (1877-1963), architect of the Cabinet Office in modern British government. This article is the latest in a series arising from the partnership between H&P and No. 10 to revitalize the history content of the Downing Street website.
Read Jock Gardner's article: Maurice Hankey: architect of modern government
Please note: Cartoons courtesy of King's College London and Martin Rowson.