History
Established in 1854, the History program at the University of Melbourne is one of the most distinguished and longest running in Australia.
History has been taught at the University since it opened in 1854. Under Sir Ernest Scott, Professor of History from 1913 to 1936, the History Department pioneered teaching and research in Australian history.
Successor Professor Max Crawford made the Melbourne department the most influential in the country. Melbourne historians helped pioneer the teaching and research of Australian history in particular and staff members, such as Manning Clark, Hugh Stretton, Geoffrey Blainey, Margaret Kiddle, Lloyd Robson and Geoffrey Serle, left a lasting impact on our understanding of the Australian past.
The program has also historically had great strengths in European, Asian, Middle Eastern, Soviet and American history, and in new approaches to the past, such as gender history, memory studies and the history of emotions. We place a particular emphasis on teaching undergraduates through the use of primary sources.
Explore our research
Our research examines the histories and transformations of society, religion, politics and culture in Australia, Asia, North America, North Africa, the Middle East and Europe.
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Soviet War Experiences, 1937-1950
This project charts the varieties of wartime experiences on Soviet-held territories between 1937 and 1950. Refusing to extract one, allegedly 'typical' experience, this project focuses on the range, variety, and complexity of wartime experiences of ordinary (and some extraordinary) people.
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Confronting Historical Injustice in Indonesia: Memory and Transnational Human Rights Activism
Using an innovative framework of the concept of ‘regions of memory’, this project examines how human rights activists located within and outside Indonesia use memory for the purposes of achieving human rights outcomes.
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Mass Politics in the Nineteenth Century
The nineteenth century was marked by great changes in the formal boundaries of the polity, forms of political activity and the meanings of ‘democracy’. This research considers some of the changes in Australia, the United States and Great Britain.
Study with us
Explore our range of courses:
- Bachelor of Arts History major (see curriculum)
- Bachelor or Arts (Degree with Honours)
- Master of Arts (Thesis Only)
- Master of Arts (Advanced Seminar and Shorter Thesis)
- Doctor of Philosophy – Arts
See student resources:
Explore our stories
Delve into our student profiles, research articles, academic interviews, podcasts, news, events and more.
Meet our History staff
Our academics are leading teachers, researchers and industry professionals.
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Professor Andrew May
Professor in Australian History; History Discipline Chair; History undergraduate coordinator
Phone: +61383447562
Email: a.may@unimelb.edu.au -
Dr Angel Alcalde Fernandez
Lecturer in History
Phone: +61390355022
Email: angel.alcalde@unimelb.edu.au -
Professor Joy Damousi
Professor of History
Phone: +61383448999
Email: j.damousi@unimelb.edu.au -
Professor Mark Edele
Deputy Head of School; Hansen Chair in History
Phone: +61383440523
Email: mark.edele@unimelb.edu.au -
Dr Julie Fedor
Senior Lecturer in Modern European History; SHAPS Engagement Committee Chair
Email: julie.fedor@unimelb.edu.au
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Professor David Goodman
Professor in History
Phone: +61383447859
Email: d.goodman@unimelb.edu.au -
Dr Julia Hurst
Lecturer in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander History
Phone: +61390359990
Email: julia.hurst@unimelb.edu.au -
Associate Professor Catherine Kovesi
Senior Lecturer in Late Medieval History; History Engagement Representative
Phone: +61383448160
Email: c.kovesi@unimelb.edu.au -
Professor Zoe Laidlaw
Professorial Fellow
Phone: +61383448486
Email: zoe.laidlaw@unimelb.edu.au -
Associate Professor Kate McGregor
Associate Professor in Southeast Asian History; Deputy Associate Dean (International – Indonesia)
Phone: +61383443379
Email: k.mcgregor@unimelb.edu.au -
Dr Una McIlvenna
Hansen Senior Lectureship in History; History Honours Coordinator
Phone: +61383444774
Email: una.mcilvenna@unimelb.edu.au -
Dr Carla Pascoe Leahy
ARC Discovery Early Career Researcher Award Fellow
Phone: +61383441520
Email: carla.pascoeleahy@unimelb.edu.au -
Associate Professor Richard Pennell
al-Tajir Lecturer in Middle East and Islamic History
Phone: +61383445952
Email: rpennell@unimelb.edu.au -
Professor Sean Scalmer
Professor of Australian History
Phone: +61383445957
Email: sscalmer@unimelb.edu.au -
Associate Professor Jenny Spinks
Hansen Senior Lectureship in History
Phone: +61383443816
Email: jspinks@unimelb.edu.au -
Dr Sarah Walsh
Hansen Lecturer in World History
Phone: +61383444211
Email: sarah.walsh@unimelb.edu.au