Have you ever wanted to share your research with a wide audience? Would you like to gain experience in public speaking, and be supported to develop imaginative ways to communicate your research to the general public?
The Royal Historical Society, Institute of Historical Research and Chalke History Festival are pleased to announce an opportunity for early career historians* to talk about their research in the ‘Chalke Introduces’ programme at the Chalke History Festival, 22-28 June 2026.
This new initiative is designed to provide opportunities for colleagues to develop public speaking skills and reach a wider audience for their research. By doing so, participants strengthen the large and enthusiastic audience for history, and illustrate the strong and vital links between historical research and more popular histories.
Applications may be made, by the closing date, via the applications portal of the Royal Historical Society.
About the Chalke History Festival
From very humble beginnings in 2011, Chalke has grown into the largest multi-format history festival in the UK and Europe, with more than 25,000 people through the gates in 2025. With so much change and upheaval around the world, history has rarely been more important and the programme for 2026 will reflect this, as Chalke brings together the most passionate minds in academic historical investigation, as well as the leading figures of contemporary debate to discuss the themes and concerns that dominate our lives. Past speakers include Tracy Borman, Max Hastings, Tom Holland, Bettany Hughes, Anthony Scaramucci and Her Majesty The Queen.
Since 2024 Chalke History festival been developing the ‘Chalke Introduces’ programme, which provides a platform for early career historians.
About ‘Pitch my Project’
Early career researchers in history are invited to submit a short (500 word) proposal for a talk on their research at Chalke History Festival. The talk should be designed to be of interest to a wide general audience.
Finalists will be invited to give a short talk to a small audience of judges, IHR Fellows and guests at the Institute of Historical Research, London at 5.30pm on Friday 20 March 2026. A presentation over Zoom can be arranged if in-person attendance is not possible. All finalists will be offered two free tickets to the Chalke History Festival 2026.
Up to two winners will be invited to speak in the ‘Chalke Introduces’ programme of new research at the Festival, and will receive advice and guidance on how to best present their work for a general audience.
How to apply
Please submit the following by 5pm on Friday 6 February 2026:
- One page CV
- Title and 500-word (maximum) abstract for your proposed talk
Applications should be submitted via the applications portal of the Royal Historical Society.
Who can apply
- *Early career historians whose PhD viva was held between December 2020 and December 2025.
- Eligibility is limited to those whose PhD was in history, and applicants whose PhD was interdisciplinary but with a demonstrated historical component which will be the focus of the proposed talk.
- Applicants can be graduates of universities within or outside the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland, but must be resident in the United Kingdom in 2025-26.
- A limited number of small bursaries will be available to support travel expenses for those invited to attend the event at the Institute of Historical Research on 20 March 2026.
- Candidates chosen to speak at Chalke History Festival 2026 will have their travel expenses paid.
HEADER IMAGE: ‘The Tanabata Festival’ (detail), from the series ‘One Hundred Famous Views of Edo’, Utagawa Hiroshige, Japanese, 1857, Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, public domain.