The Department of History is recognised for the quality of our research as well as our students’ satisfaction with our teaching (95% overall satisfaction, NSS 2019).
Research-led teaching is at the heart of our practice. We are proud that expertise within our department cover a diverse range of periods, geographies and research themes; all of which feed into our curriculum.
We are one of the largest History departments in the UK, community is at the heart of our department. Whether your just starting to consider studying with us, or completing your research degree you will join our community of historians.
If you're looking to get a grasp of the breadth of department explore our staffs profiles sorted by theme (coming soon).
Some key contacts are listed below or if you're looking for someone in particular you can search for staff alphabetically.
How to find us
We are located on the ground floor of the International Building on the Egham campus:
Department of History, Royal Holloway, Egham Hill, Egham, Surrey, TW20 0EX
Key Contacts
Daniel Beer
Head of Department

I am equally committed to the well-being of all staff and students to ensure everyone feels a valued part of the community and is supported both inside and outside the classroom.
Rob Priest
Deputy Head of Department
I provide additional support as required to our Head of Department, UG Education Lead and Senior Tutor.
Alex Windscheffel
UG Education Lead
The Education Lead for the department directs the strategic vision on education for the department and interfaces with the School and College on education matters.
My role focuses on the day-to-day management of all History undergraduate programmes. For students this means I am responsible for organising the modules that you choose each year and for helping with any issues regarding timetable arrangements or changing between different modules and degree programmes. I also work with other departments to assist joint degree students, and I provide support for intercollegiate students from the other colleges of the University of London and for visiting students who come to us from our various international partners.
I lead the Learning and Teaching Committee and incorporate feedback we get from you as students to ensure we are constantly improving your learning experience. I also co-ordinate ongoing curriculum reviews, departmental peer-review of our teaching and help to develop our programmes.
Stella Moss
Undergraduate Recruitment Lead
If you are thinking of coming to study an History undergraduate degree with us at Royal Holloway please get in touch with me. As Undergraduate Recruitment Lead it is my job to coordinate all activities surrounding recruitment and provide a point of contact for potential applicants. If you’re keen to visit Royal Holloway you can sign up for Open Days, or to get a feel for studying History we would love to welcome you to a Taster Day.
Dan Stone
Research Lead
My role as Research Lead focuses on maintaining a research culture in the department alongside our teaching and outreach initiatives. This includes overseeing preparation of our REF submission; promoting, facilitating and encouraging bids for research grant; and managing processes relating to guest researchers, academic visitors and other fixed-term research nominations and renewals.
Hannah Platts
Senior Tutor
The role of Senior Tutor coordinates the personal tutor scheme across the department. I work closely with the School Director of Student Experience to ensure student well-being and providing good pastoral care to students.
Sarah Ansari
Departmental Postgraduate Studies (Taught) Lead
As Departmental Postgraduate Studies (Taught) Lead I’m the person to talk to about all things related to the Department of History’s Taught Postgraduate courses. If you are a thinking about applying to one of our MA Courses please do get in contact with any questions. For current students, I work closely with all MA Course Directors and Module Convenors so come and see me if you have any problems or questions about your academic or personal experience within the Department of History or access to learning resources more broadly. I also collaborate with both the School of Humanities and the College to ensure we are offering you the best learning experience.
Kaja Cook
Departmental Postgraduate Studies (Research) Lead
The role of the departmental Postgraduate Studies (Research) Lead is to assist the School Director of Graduate Studies and the Doctoral School in the recruitment of postgraduate students to the department. If you are a prospective PhD or MRes applicant, I can advise you on scholarship opportunities and application procedures, and pair you up with potential supervisors. For all other enquiries relating to the life cycle of a postgraduate student feel free to ask and seek my advice, but please note that you may be referred on to the School Director of Graduate Studies or the Doctoral School.
Markus Daechsel
Examinations Officer
My role as Examinations Officer provides oversight for our assessments. I arrange for the setting and checking of examination papers (ensuring no overlap with coursework), liaise with visiting examiners and report results to the College.
Shahmima Akhtar
EDI Lead
As EDI (Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity) lead I am leading the department in implementing a strategy to better support our existing BIPOC students and to increase our recruitment from these under-represented groups. I also sit on the School of Humanities Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Committee.
Jonathan Phillips
Schools liaison and outreach
As Schools Liaison and Outreach lead my role is to develop our wider involvement with the History education community. I organise a series of Taster Days over the academic year for students to get a flavour of studying History at university, coordinate School talks and organise CPD within the department. If you teach History at a school and would like one of our academics to come and give a talk do please get in contact.
Catriona Cooper
Programme Director, UoLW BA in History
I am the Programme Director of the Department of History’s distance learning degree which is run through University of London. I act as Course leader for all modules offered and coordinate with subject specialists on the programme. For current students if you have any questions of complaints please do get in contact, continuously develop the course and offer the best learning experience for all students! If you are interested in the course please do get in contact with any enquires.
Weipin Tsai
Study Abroad
I'm responsible for the study abroad programme, do get in touch if you have any queries or questions about applying.
Jonathan Phillips
Careers
Jonathan talks about his research interests including the history of the Crusades, Richard the Lionheart and Saladin as well as the modern day legacy of the crusades in Islam and the West.