Creating Public History: a Guide to Co-production and Community Engagement

Guidance from the RHS for Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Last Reviewed: 23 March 2020

This document was updated on 23 March to give additional information about funding, and the closure of the RHS office.

The current novel coronavirus outbreak is a rapidly-developing international situation, which will cause significant ongoing disruption. This guidance is intended to support Royal Historical Society (RHS) staff, Council members and grant recipients.

Updates to this guidance will be posted on this page.

The largest proportion of the Royal Historical Society’s non-staff expenditure takes the form of support for early career researchers (PhD students and recent recipients of the PhD). The RHS is committed to supporting these scholars during what we realise is a very challenging time nationally and internationally. Please bear with us as we work to adapt our standard policies to accommodate this set of exceptional circumstances.

Additionally, during the novel coronavirus pandemic, we are exploring ways to re-direct the funding usually allocated for travel to conferences and archives/libraries—which is not currently feasible for researchers to undertake. Instead, we hope to facilitate research undertaken remotely and/or research activities that promote historical researchers’ exchange of ideas and wellbeing during this unprecedented peacetime crisis.

Our priorities at this time are to ensure that a) no-one feels under pressure to put their own or others’ wellbeing at risk for RHS-related or funded work and b) individuals don’t incur significant personal expense related to RHS-funded activities as a result of the novel coronavirus outbreak.

Royal Historical Society Staff and Council

• During the current outbreak RHS staff, and members undertaking RHS business, are working from home, and at flexible hours as necessary. The RHS’s physical office is closed until further notice.  Caring responsibilities, limited access to resources, and personal circumstances may mean that responses to queries may take longer to answer than usual. Please bear with us in these exceptional circumstances.
• RHS-sponsored meetings and events will be postponed, cancelled or moved from physical to virtual locations as appropriate until it is considered safe to resume group and large group meetings. It will take some time for us to determine an indicative schedule, and changes will inevitably occur over time.  We will endeavour to provide updates in a timely manner.  In the meantime, an archive of podcasts and videos of past events can be found here: https://royalhistsoc.org/category/rhs-video-archive/.
• If any RHS staff or Council member develops symptoms of COVID-19, they should self-isolate and follow up-to-date NHS guidance: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/.
• If any RHS staff or Council member develops symptoms of COVID-19, or has had contact with a confirmed case, the RHS will follow government guidelines: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-employers-and-businesses-about-covid-19/guidance-for-employers-and-businesses-on-covid-19.
• In any event, current government and NHS advice should be followed and may supersede this guidance.

Visitors to the RHS

• The RHS office is now closed until further notice, and RHS-sponsored events have been postponed, cancelled or moved to virtual spaces. The guidance below pertains to any visits made to the office or to RHS-sponsored events prior to Friday 20 March.
• If, within fourteen days of attending our office or one of our events, a person tests positive for COVID-19, or subsequently self-isolates as a precaution, we ask to be notified by email: enquiries@royalhistsoc.org.
• Visitors to the office/events who have recently travelled to/from the places identified by the NHS as being at increased risk are asked to notify us: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/advice-for-travellers/.

Recipients of RHS Research Expenses grants and Conference Travel grants

• If a recipient of a personal RHS grant has not already booked travel and accommodation for research or to attend a conference, they will be allowed to delay their research plans for up to 12 months (or until the date of a rescheduled event) and still receive full funding;
• If a grant recipient has already purchased travel and accommodation before 16 March 2020 and these cannot be refunded, the RHS will:
  • not request the return of any expenses already claimed from the RHS;
  • where at all possible, honour its commitments to reimburse individuals if other avenues of refund (e.g. insurance and credit card company) have been exhausted.

Recipients of RHS Conference organisation grants

• Conference organisers are welcome to postpone events for up to 12 months and still receive full funding;
• If a conference is delayed or cancelled and non-refundable travel or accommodation costs for conference speakers have already been booked, the RHS will cover the costs initially provided for if other avenues of refund (e.g. insurance and credit card company) have been exhausted.

Please let us know of any changes or send any queries or requests for reimbursement to Imogen Evans, RHS Administrative Secretary by email: adminsecretary@royalhistsoc.org.

Future Funds for Rescheduled Research and Conference Trips, and RHS sponsored events

• As the situation improves, the RHS will assess the impact on its funded activities. While we cannot yet guarantee to be able to provide additional funds at a later date to support re-scheduled events, we will do our best to provide opportunities for new or top-up applications.
• We will make such decisions at a later date, contingent upon funds being available.

New applications for RHS Funding

• New applicants should continue to apply to our funding streams as usual if a scheme is currently advertised on our website.
• We are actively considering new ways of supporting early career History researchers during the current crisis and if feasible will channel funding into one or more interim schemes to support virtual research and ECR wellbeing during the current crisis. Please continue to visit our website, and follow our Twitter account @royalhistsoc for latest updates.

Please direct any queries or communications regarding this guidance to Ms Imogen Evans, RHS Administrative Secretary by email: adminsecretary@royalhistsoc.org. Please direct other enquiries about RHS business to enquiries@royalhistsoc.org.

Wishing everyone all the very best.

Grants of between £50 and £750 are intended primarily to contribute towards travel costs to assist postgraduate students in making visits to archives and other site-visits away from their home institution. The funding for these awards from the RHS has been generously provided by the Past & Present Society, in keeping with P&P’s commitment to promoting early career researchers in History in a challenging funding landscape.

Eligibility

• Eligible students will be registered for a doctoral research degree. Students must be registered at an institution of higher education outside the United Kingdom. Students may be full-time or part-time.
• Applications are open to researchers of any nationality; however the Society does not normally fund students to conduct research in their own country of permanent residence if this is outside the United Kingdom.
• Preference will normally be given to proposals for research projects that are both clearly and predominantly historical in orientation.
• The RHS will only consider applications for research visits in the second, third or fourth year (or part-time equivalent) of full-time postgraduate degrees. However, applications may be submitted during the first year for research trips to be taken during the second year of registration (or part-time equivalent).
• No student will be eligible for more than one award under this scheme.
• Applications will NOT be considered for research to be conducted within the four weeks immediately following the deadline. You are advised to consult the schedule of deadlines and to submit your application before the deadline that is at least one month earlier than the start of your research trip.
• Grants cannot be sought retrospectively.

Criteria for assessment

In making its funding decisions, the Research Support Committee uses the following criteria:

• A well-written proposal will enhance both the likelihood and the value of RHS funding.
• Priority is given to applicants who provide clear evidence of the historical significance of their project as a whole and specify in detail how the requested funds will advance and enrich that project.
• Applicants should ensure that their proposals extend beyond mere description to analysis: for example, they should indicate the project’s key research questions and (if research is already at an advanced stage) their conclusions thereon.
• Priority is given to applicants who provide a detailed and economical budget. You are advised to take the cheapest possible travel option.
• Priority is given to applicants who demonstrate that they have sought out the full range of available funding, both at their home institution and among relevant scholarly societies.
• Priority is given to candidates whose progress toward their degree is clearly and specifically attested by their doctoral supervisor.

The application process

• All applications must be made through the RHS online applications system.
• A copy of your application will be emailed to your referee, who will be asked to provide a reference. No application will be considered without a supporting academic reference. You are reminded to submit your application in sufficient time to allow your supervisor to provide their reference before the closing date for which you are applying.
• All applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application within six weeks of the closing date for applications.
• If your application is successful, you will need to provide proof of expenditure before any grant is paid to you. This may be submitted before or after travel, however the grant must be claimed within six months of the date of the award. If you are unable to claim the award within six months and do not inform the Society, you will be deemed to have forfeited the offer of the grant.
• If you have already purchased travel tickets, please do not submit these with your application. If your application is successful, you will be sent full details on how to claim the grant.
• Successful applicants will be required to provide a full report on the uses to which the grant has been put and the outcome in terms of contribution to the progress of the research within one month of completion of the proposed research.

Notes for referees

• The committee would be greatly assisted if referees were to address the merits of the application and specific requests for funding as well as the merits of the applicant.
• Priority is given to candidates whose progress toward their degree is clearly and specifically attested by their doctoral supervisor.

All enquiries about research support applications should be addressed to the RHS Membership and Administration Officer at: membership@royalhistsoc.org

Thanks to the generosity of the family of the late Martin Lynn, the Society has pleasure in announcing the establishment of an annual award in his memory. Martin Lynn was Professor of African History in the Queen’s University, Belfast, the first scholar to hold a chair in African history in Ireland. His scholarly career was devoted to the history of West Africa and he published most extensively and importantly on the 19th and 20th century history of Nigeria. His scholarly achievements were matched by the reputation he enjoyed as an exciting and concerned teacher and a delightful, generous colleague and friend. This award reflects the interests of the man it commemorates. Annually the Society will make an award of up to £1,000 to assist an historian pursuing postgraduate research on a topic in African history.

Eligibility

• Eligible students will be registered for a PhD or DPhil. Students must be registered at a UK institution. Students may be full-time or part-time.
• Eligible students will have successfully completed their first year of full-time or first two years of part-time study by the time the award is taken up.
• Applications are open to researchers of all nationalities, however the Society does not normally fund students to do research in their own country of permanent residence if this is outside the United Kingdom.
• Applications will NOT be considered for research to be conducted within the four weeks immediately following the deadline.
• Grants cannot be sought retrospectively.

Criteria for Assessment

In making its funding decisions, the Research Support Committee uses the following criteria:

• A well-written proposal will enhance both the likelihood and the value of RHS funding.
• Priority is given to applicants who provide clear evidence of the historical significance of their project as a whole and specify in detail how the requested funds will advance and enrich that project.
• Applicants should ensure that their proposals extend beyond mere description to analysis: for example, they should indicate the project’s key research questions and (if research is already at an advanced stage) their conclusions thereon.
• Priority is given to applicants who provide a detailed and economical budget. You are advised to take the cheapest possible travel option.
• Priority is given to applicants who demonstrate that they have sought out the full range of available funding, both at their home institution and among relevant scholarly societies.
• Priority is given to candidates whose progress toward their degree is clearly and specifically attested by their PhD/DPhil supervisor.
• Applicants intending to use the award to carry out research within Africa will be especially welcomed.

The application process

• From the 7 January 2020, the RHS switched to a new online system for applications. If you had an incomplete application started before the 6 January 2020, you will now be unable to access or submit your application.  All new applications for Research Support Grants (including Conference Travel, Research Expenses and Conference Organisation) should be made using the new RHS application system, which can be accessed here.
• A copy will be emailed to your referee, who will be asked to provide a reference. No application will be considered without a supporting academic reference. You are reminded to submit your application in sufficient time to allow your supervisor to provide their reference before the closing date for which you are applying.
• If your application to the Martin Lynn Scholarship is unsuccessful, your request for funding will automatically be considered under the Society’s Research Expenses scheme which offers grants of up to £750. You do not need to apply to both schemes.
• All applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application within six weeks of the closing date for applications.
• If your application is successful, you will need to provide proof of expenditure before any grant is paid to you. This may be done prior to travel or after travel but the grant must be claimed within six months of the date of the award. If you are unable to claim the award within six months and do not inform the Society, you will be deemed to have forfeited the offer of the grant.
• If you have already purchased travel tickets, please do not submit these with your application. If your application is successful, you will be sent full details on how to claim the grant.
• Successful applicants will be required to provide a full report on the uses to which the grant has been put and the outcome in terms of contribution to the progress of the research within one month of completion of the proposed research.

Notes for referees

• The committee would be greatly assisted if referees were to address the merits of the application and specific requests for funding as well as the merits of the applicant.
• If the applicant is in their first year of a postgraduate research degree, the referee is asked to confirm that the student will upgrade.
• Priority is given to candidates whose progress toward their degree is clearly and specifically attested by their PhD/DPhil supervisor.

All enquiries about research support applications should be addressed to the RHS Membership and Administration Officer at: membership@royalhistsoc.org

The principles outlined in this Statement of Good Practice for Historians are aligned with the Society’s charitable objectives.

All members should be aware of the ethical, legal and professional responsibilities incumbent to the specific community in which they work. All individuals should avoid personal and professional misconduct that might bring the Society or the reputation of the profession into disrepute.

The maintenance of high professional standards includes:

• being acquainted with best practice in the use and evaluation of evidence;
• understanding and following intellectual property laws;
• taking particular care when research concerns those still living and when the anonymity of individuals is required;
• observing the ethical and legal requirements of the repositories and collections being used;
• avoiding plagiarism, fabrication, falsification and deception in proposing, carrying out and reporting the results of research;
• following robust procedures for the citation of sources.

The maintenance of high ethical standards includes:

• declaring any interests, including financial ones, that bear on professional life;
• reporting any conflict of interest;
• observing fairness and equity in the conduct of research, teaching and administration, and representing credentials accurately and honestly;
• behaving and acting with integrity where summarising, interpreting or translating material for publication or communication so as not to misrepresent the historical record.

Other statements of good practice

You may also wish to consult the American Historical Association’s Statement on Standards of Professional Conduct; the European Commission’s guide to Ethics in Social Science and Humanities; and the RESPECT Code of Practice for Socio-Economic Research.

The Society echoes the encouragement within the AHA statement for ‘all historians to uphold and defend their professional responsibilities with the utmost seriousness, and to advocate for integrity, and fairness and high standards throughout the historical profession.’

Selected further reading

There are many valuable studies of historical practice, of which the following is a small selection:

• Marc Bloch, The Historian’s Craft (1954, Manchester reprint 2015, with an introduction by Peter Burke)
• James M. Banner, Being a Historian: an Introduction to the Professional World of History (Cambridge, 2012)
• Peter Claus and John Marriott, History: an Introduction to Theory, Method and Practice (London, 2017)
• Penelope J. Corfield and Tim Hitchcock, Becoming a Historian. An Informal Guide (London, 2022)
• Ludmilla Jordanova, History in Practice (London, 2000, third edition 2019)
• Tracey Loughran ed. A Practical Guide to Studying History. Skills and Approaches (London, 2017)
• John Tosh, The Pursuit of History: Aims, Methods and New Directions in the Study of Modern History (London, 1984, sixth edition 2006)

Fellowships and Fundraising

On 23 March 2022, the Royal Historical Society (RHS), British Association for Slavonic and East European Studies (BASEES) and Past and Present Society (P&P) are offering funding towards three short-term fellowships (minimum 3 months) at higher education institutions in the UK, European Union or elsewhere in continental Europe to provide a place of academic refuge for three scholars from Ukraine.

From 29 March, we are delighted to be joined by the Ecclesiastical History Society (EHS) which is funding a fourth fellowship to provide a place of academic refuge for a scholar from Ukraine active in the study of the history of Christianity.

From 13 April, the German History Society (GHS) has announced funding for a fifth fellowship to support a Ukrainian researcher working on the history of Germany and the German-speaking world in the broadest sense. We are very grateful for the GHS’s involvement and provision of an additional placement.

The RHS and BASEES are also fundraising to provide additional fellowships.

Each grant is worth £5,000 (€6,000) to the Fellow and must be matched by equivalent funds AND / OR in-kind assistance from the host institution (for example, travel, accommodation, meals, office space and IT support, plus insurance) of a financial sum equivalent to £5,000 (€6,000) grant for a minimum duration of three months, to begin as soon as possible.

To best support Ukrainian scholars at risk, we also welcome applications from host institutions willing to offer more than match-funding, whether as a financial sum or in-kind assistance.

Two grants (funded by the RHS and P&P) will be reserved for Ukrainian scholars displaced by the Russian invasion who are undertaking historical research in the broadest sense. A third grant (funded by the EHS) will support a Ukrainian scholar of the history of Christianity.

One grant (funded by BASEES) will be for any displaced Ukrainian scholar in the field of Slavonic and East European studies. Host institutions can offer these fellowships to PhD candidates, Early Career and established scholars.

How to make an application

• The host institution names a scholar at risk who will be designated an RHS/BASEES/P&P/EHS/GHS Fellow.
• The host institution will support the integration of the Fellow into the local academic community.
• The host institution will appoint a designated mentor to support the Fellow.
• The host institution will support the Fellow in drafting and submitting applications for long-term funding and/or more permanent academic positions at the host or another HE institution.
• The host institution will match-fund each Fellowship via a direct payment to the Fellow; and/or provide an equivalent in-kind contribution (comprising accommodation, meals etc.)
• In addition, the host institution will provide the Fellow with library, internet, and research resource access, and health insurance, as well as visa support if applicable.
• The length of the fellowship is a minimum of three months.

Applications from the host institution must be submitted via the RHS’s online application system.

The closing date for applications from host institutions was Wednesday 20 April 2022, however applications for the Fellowship on the History of Germany and the German Speaking World now closes on Monday 9 May 2022.

The following information will be required:

• information on the support provided by the hosting institution, including intended dates of the fellowship

In addition, the application requires information regarding:

• EITHER a description of the situation of the proposed Fellow, and short CVs for both the proposed Fellow and the designated mentor.
• OR a description of the proposed recruitment process, including time-lines.  Please note that funds are paid to Fellows, not institutions, therefore funds will only be released once the institution has successfully appointed a fellow.

Make an application vis the RHS applications portal.

Successful host institutions will be notified as soon as possible after the closing date of Weds 20 April. Questions about the application process may be sent to: administration@royalhistsoc.org.

Fundraising for additional Ukraine fellowships

The RHS and BASEES are also fundraising to increase the number of grants available via a JustGiving page https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/baseesandrhsSARfellowships 

Additional funds raised will support extra fellowships. We will announce these to interested universities as soon as the funding for one or more additional fellowship becomes available.

We also welcome involvement from other learned societies / organisations in the historical and social sciences who wish to partner on future Ukraine fellowship grants. Those wishing to do so may contribute via the RHS/BASEES JustGiving page or contact the Society’s CEO: adam.hughes@royalhistsoc.org.

Thank you, in advance, for any contribution you are able to make.