A Date with History: Imagining Revolutions

What are revolutions and how important are they to how we see ourselves? The second in our series of A Date with History – our annual Franco-British collaboration – explores the place of revolutions in our collective memory, as well as modern uses of the idea of revolution.

Presented by the French Embassy in the UK, our expert speakers discuss how national narratives are written, from revolutions and empires, to the industrial revolutions in France and Britain. The political uses of the past and the way national heroes can be instrumentalised to political ends needs to be addressed. Dispelling myths and legends is one of the objectives of history.

Join top historians for talks and discussion over the weekend, followed by French film screenings on Monday 11 and Thursday 14 June.

Eminent speakers include Peter Mandler of the University of Cambridge, Laura Lee Downs of the European University Institute, Máire Cross of Newcastle University, Florence Tamagne of the University of Lille, Helen Rogers of Liverpool John Moores University and Mike Savage of the London School of Economics (LSE).

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Work at the University of York is focused around seven research themes which align our academic strengths to best meet the grand scientific, social and environmental challenges of our time. Learn more about the Culture and communication research theme.

Saturday 9 June

12.30pm - 2.00pm

Were the 1960s a Revolution?

From Twiggy to Mr Wilson, we discuss the Swinging 60s. Join top historians including Lawrence Black of the University of York and Florence Tamagne of the University of Lille.

Speakers include:

Lawrence Black, University of York

Florence Tamagne, University of Lille

Laura Lee Downs, European University Institute (Chair)

4.30pm - 6.00pm

Gender Revolutions

Join historians, including keynote speaker Laura Lee Downs of the European University Institute, as they discuss gender issues across Europe. Our expert panel includes Sean Brady of Birkbeck, University of London and Máire Cross of Newcastle University.

Speakers include:

Sean Brady, Birkbeck, University of London

Máire Cross, Newcastle University

Laura Lee Downs, European University Institute

Renaud Morieux, University of Cambridge (Chair)

2.30pm - 4.00pm

Revolutions and Empires

Our expert speakers, including Sujit Sivasundaram, University of Cambridge, Charlotte Riley, University of Southampton and David Andress, University of Portsmouth, discuss the French Revolution and ideas of empire in France and Britain.

Speakers include:

David Andress, University of Portsmouth

Charlotte Riley, University of Southampton

Sujit Sivasundaram, University of Cambridge

Amanda Behm, University of York (Chair)

Sunday 10 June

11.00am - 12.30pm

Industrial Revolutions and Social Welfare in France and Britain

Our speakers, including Alexis Litvine of the University of Cambridge, Chris Renwick of the University of York, Mike Savage of the London School of Economics (LSE) and Marie Thébaud-Sorger of the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS), examine the mythologies of industrial revolutions and social welfare.

Speakers include:

Alexis Litvine, University of Cambridge

Chris Renwick, University of York

Mike Savage, LSE

Marie Thébaud-Sorger, CNRS

Christina de Bellaigue, University of Oxford (Chair)

3.30pm - 5.00pm

A Revolution in Universities

Experts, including Corine Eyraud of Aix-Marseille University and Peter Mandler of the University of Cambridge, examine the transition to mass education.

Speakers include:

Corine Eyraud, Aix-Marseille University

Peter Mandler, University of Cambridge

Chris Renwick, University of York (Chair)

1.30pm - 3.00pm

Revolutions in History Writing

Discover how national narratives are written in France and Britain with historians including Helen Rogers of Liverpool John Moores University and Stephen Sawyer of the American University of Paris.

Speakers include:

Helen Rogers, Liverpool John Moores University

Stephen Sawyer, American University of Paris

Clarisse Berthezène, French Embassy (Chair)