History Extra podcast Funding cuts and culture wars: history behind the headlines
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Mar 31, 2025 
Hannah Skoda, a Fellow in Medieval History at St John's College, Oxford, Rana Mitter, the S.T. Lee Chair in US-Asia Relations at Harvard, and Lucy Noakes, President of the Royal Historical Society, tackle pressing issues in historical education. They dive into the implications of funding cuts for UK history departments and the impact of culture wars on historical understanding. The conversation highlights the importance of advocacy for history, the resilience of student interest, and the urgent need for renewed support in the discipline.
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History in Crisis and Expansion
- UK universities face funding cuts and department closures, impacting history programs.
- Despite these cuts, history's scope is broadening, encompassing more diverse voices and perspectives.
Global Perspectives on History
- History's role varies across nations; the US sees politicization, while China uses it as a political tool.
- The UK's funding challenges contrast with better-funded US institutions, but are less restrictive than China's approach.
Popularity vs. Funding
- History programs face cuts and restructuring, yet student interest remains high.
- The Royal Historical Society's report reveals widespread cuts impacting history departments.