Knowledge transfer
The History Research Group's activities possess also an applied value in today's knowledge-driven society. Staff publications, conferences/seminars and postgraduate teaching have focused increasingly upon the transfer of ideas and knowledge generated through historical research.
Professor Peter Beck has a longstanding research interest in history and public policymaking is evidenced by both his current research projects and previous publications. Relevant publications include:
- 'The Policy Relevance of the Falklands/Malvinas Past', in Alex Danchev (ed.), International Perspectives on the Falklands Conflict: A Matter of Life and Death (1992);
- 'History and Policy Makers in Argentina and Britain', in C.R. Hill and P. Beshoff (eds.), Two Worlds of International Relations: Academics, Practitioners and the Trade in Ideas (1994);
- and 'Politicians versus historians: Lord Avon's "appeasement battle" against "lamentably, appeasement-minded" historians', Twentieth Century British History (1998).
His most recent project studying the actual use and non-use of history by British policymakers between 1950 and 1976 resulted in a book, entitled Using history, making British policy: the Treasury and the Foreign Office, 1950-1976 (2006), and an article 'The lessons of Abadan and Suez for British foreign policymakers in the 1960s', Historical Journal (2006).
The implications of past experience for British policymakers were illuminated in a paper 'History and policy at work in the Treasury, 1957-76', written for the History and Policy website. 'History and Policy', centred upon Cambridge University's History faculty, is an independent initiative 'working for better public policy through an understanding of history':
We believe that today's 'evidence-based' policy environment would benefit from more historical input and the involvement of professional historians. We work to increase the links between historians and those analysing, discussing and deciding public policy in the UK today. We also make historians and their research findings more accessible to policy and media audiences. History and Policy is the first port-of-call for anyone in government, parliament, think-tanks or the media who wants to understand the history of a current policy issue or access an expert historian.
In April 2007 Professor Beck delivered a paper, entitled 'Thinking and acting historically in the Treasury, 1957-60', at the 'History and Public Conference', held at the University of Swansea in collaboration with the Institute of Historical Research, University of London.
