History at UQ

Australians value history!

Aimed to gain an understanding of how Australians view history, a UNSW Canberra survey found that an overwhelming majority of Australians are interested in and value history.

Lead researcher Dr Nicole Townsend said it was valuable to have data that underscored the public’s interest in studying history.

“More than 80% of people believe history is relevant to society today and 85% agreed that an understanding of history could help to avoid repeating mistakes from the past.”

Read the full story here: https://bit.ly/4aR26fL

Courtesy of Jon Piccini … notice of a fascinating forthcoming talk by the eminent historian Humphrey McQueen!

I was told not to do a degree in history. Not maliciously. Not cruelly. But with that very familiar question: “But what will you actually do with it?” And honestly? I understand the concern. History does not come with an obvious path. It does not promise security. It does not look “useful” in the way people often define usefulness. But studying history taught me how to think. Really think. It taught me how to question narratives, analyse complexity, sit with uncertainty, spot patterns, and build arguments from imperfect evidence. And now, looking back, I realise it gave me far more than a degree. It shaped the way I write.
The way I teach.
The way I speak.
The way I build.
The way I see opportunities. It even prepared me for entrepreneurship in ways I never expected. So no, I do not think a history degree is useless. I think learning how to think deeply is one of the most useful things you can ever do. What is one thing you were told was “not useful” that ended up shaping you?

A friendly reminder about Prof Andrew Bonnell’s Annual Lecture. If you haven’t already, please ensure you have registered via the link.
https://events.humanitix.com/2026-hpi-annual-lecture


Event details

Date: Tuesday 9 June 2026

Time: 5:15pm for 5:30–6:30pm lecture and Q&A, followed by a reception 6:30–7:30pm

Venue: Lecture: 206 Steele Building (3), Reception: Global Change Institute Atrium (20) (view map)

RSVP: Wednesday 3 June 2026



About the lecture

Empires striking back?

Presented by Professor Andrew Bonnell

The University of Queensland's School of Historical and Philosophical Inquiry invites you to join us for the 2026 Annual Lecture delivered by Professor Andrew Bonnell.

A fake (or "reconstructed") Royal Palace has been constructed in the middle of Berlin, while descendants of the Hohenzollern dynasty sued the German government for restitution of properties confiscated in the late 1940s. A French government law passed in 2005 mandated teaching on the positive sides of French colonialism. Conservative British historians run a website dedicated to "Reclaiming History". The Trump administration orders the removal of exhibits on the history of slavery from historic sites.

What is going on? Are we looking at tit-for-tat exchanges in apparently never-ending "history wars", or is there a deeper reaction against the expansion of historical knowledge and awareness of the histories of colonialism and slavery?



About the presenter

Professor Andrew Bonnell is a Professor in History at UQ, and holds a BA (Hons) (Sydney) and a PhD (Sydney). His research interests include modern German and European history, German cultural and intellectual history in social and political context, and the history of German Social Democracy. His teaching areas include modern German history, European intellectual history, European fascism and the radical right, film and history, and nationalism.

Professor Bonnell’s current research project focuses on the political discontents of modernity and aspects of the history of German Social Democracy. He is also on editorial advisory boards for the journals German History (Oxford UP) and European History Quarterly.

2026 School of Historical and Philosophical Inquiry Annual Lecture 2026 School of Historical and Philosophical Inquiry Annual Lecture

On tomorrow! Looks like a great event!

Have you seen the Anthropology Museum's latest exhibit, Shields: Design and functionality exhibition?

If not, we highly recommend you join the team tomorrow for a special event with artist Paul B**g.

View the exhibition, hear from the artist about his artistic practice and deep commitment to cultural storytelling. Followed by light refreshments and an opportunity to view the exhibition in your own time.

Limited seats available, please register for a ticket to attend and for catering purposes: https://events.humanitix.com/artist-talk-paul-bong

📆Thursday 28 May
⌚11:00am to 12:00pm followed by light lunch
📍UQ Anthropology Museum, Level 1, Michie Building (9) UQ St Lucia

Please come to our annual lecture to be given this year by our own Professor Andrew Bonnell. Free registration via the link.

2026 School of Historical and Philosophical Inquiry Annual Lecture 2026 School of Historical and Philosophical Inquiry Annual Lecture

Our wonderful History student, Jessica Moratelli, just interviewed me on her digital radio show, “I Promise I Am Not Crazy”, on 4ZZZ, Zed Digital:

https://www.4zzz.org.au/program/i-promise-i-am-not-crazy/2026-04-12%2020:00:00

We talked about Southeast Asian History, Global History, globalization, the importance of good manners 😀, and pop culture.

If you have ever wondered why studying History - of ourselves, our region, and our world - is more important now than ever before, check it out!

In the leadup to Anzac Day, an interesting article comparing Gallipoli to the Strait of Hormuz.

Gallipoli has 4 lessons for the Strait of Hormuz crisis

For fans of Roman history!

Discover the magic of Ancient Rome at the Melbourne Museum Rome wasn’t built in a day – but you can explore it in an afternoon.