OPEN Conversation: History, archives, and policymaking: getting humanities research to speak to policy
How can humanities research speak to the needs of present policy? What unique perspectives do humanities scholars bring to the policymaking process that might otherwise be overlooked? These are some of the questions we will be asking in this upcoming OPEN Conversation that brings together leading humanities scholars.


Professor Patrick Salmon is Chief Historian of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, a position he has held for twenty years. He regularly briefs ministers and overseas posts, providing them with historical advice, and is an editor of the series Documents on British Policy Overseas (DBPO).
Professor Patricia Clavin is Professor of Modern History at the University of Oxford, and an expert in twentieth-century history, who has regularly engaged with policymakers. She is a Co-Director of the Changing Global Orders programme at the Martin School, which seeks to improve global governance in the 21st century by revealing the role of path-dependency from the 20th century.


This will be a very interactive session. We will facilitate a conversation between the speakers and the audience, giving you the opportunity to exchange ideas with leading experts who have worked at the intersection of academia and policy.

So come prepared with thoughts and questions, and be ready to share your perspectives and engage in open discussion.
Date: 25 February 2025, 17:00
Venue: History Faculty, George Street OX1 2RL
Venue Details: Rees Davies Room
Speakers: Professor Patrick Salmon (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office), Professor Patricia Clavin (University of Oxford)
Organiser contact email address: thomas.kelsey@humanities.ox.ac.uk
Part of: Oxford Policy Engagement Network (OPEN)
Booking required?: Not required
Audience: Public
Editor: Belinda Clark