Books at the Bodleian Library, Oxford
History UK (HE) is the independent national body promoting and monitoring History in UK Higher Education, particularly in the following areas: test
- The profile of history, in both higher education and in public life generally.
- The state of the profession, particularly recruitment to HE History including undergraduates, postgraduates, researchers and staff.
- Research culture, including the archival, library and other material available to historians and the impact of external measures of research quality.
- Audit culture, to ensure that the demands of external audit and quality measurement are appropriate to the discipline and light in touch.
- Career development, of both history teachers and researchers.
All UK HE History departments (or equivalent units) are eligible for membership of History UK, and the great majority do subscribe.
A Steering Committee meets three times a year. It is composed of 30 elected members representing Colleges and Institutes of HE as well as universities in all regions of the UK.
An annual Plenary Meeting, open to every subscribing department, acts as a forum and information point for major issues affecting the profession, and incorporates an AGM.
History UK works with other national organisations promoting history, and has arrangements for mutual representation with the Royal Historical Society, the Historical Association and the Institute of Historical Research.
History UK has taken a leading role in drawing up the QAA History Benchmark Statement; monitored trends in the profession through surveys of departments; nominated members to RAE History panels and other bodies; made representations on behalf of member departments experiencing 'local' difficulties; lobbied government on behalf of the History profession and regularly circulates information to subscribing departments.