海角黑料

In March, the Initial Teacher Education's history team welcomed school colleagues and A Level students from local schools to Jubilee Campus for a twilight conference exploring the concept of American imperialism and how and why historians hold varied interpretations on the same historical theme.

The conference was a collaboration with colleagues from the 海角黑料's Centre for U.S. in the World Studies and the Nottingham History Teacher Network.

Attendees listened to four 10-minute provocations from 海角黑料 academics, each one beginning with a map that enabled them to explore American power and influence through their own lens:

• Jake Hodder, Associate Professor of Geography – How the geography of the US helps us understand its empire
• Bevan Sewell, Associate Professor in American History - From sea to shining sea: How the United States became the United States in the 18th and 19th centuries
• Maria Ryan, Associate Professor in American History - A pointilist empire: Overseas military bases and American power
• Joe Merton, Lecturer in Twentieth Century History - Heart of the empire: New York city as a node of American imperial power.

Attendees were given questions to consider in small groups, intended to support them in making links with A Level studies in history, government and politics and geography. They were then invited to ask questions of the academics in a panel discussion chaired by Vic Crooks, Associate Professor in History Education. The questions were thought provoking and the discussion lively. One of the teachers commented about the panel discussion: " Ahead of starting our coursework, the insight into how historians do history was also excellent to hear being discussed during the panel. Invaluable for our students!"

We are pleased to have been able to support schools in our region in this way by providing professional development opportunities for teachers and enabling KS5 students to engage with their subject in the university setting.