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Dr Laura Harrison

Historian | Researcher | Lecturer | Consultant

I have been researching and writing about history for well over a decade, and am passionate about sharing stories about the past in an engaging and accessible way.

Recent media appearances

I spoke to Doctor Who and Broadchurch actor Jodie Whittaker about her family history as part of the BBC series Who Do You Think You Are? You can see further details about the episode here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000nh4f.

You can hear me speaking to Jane Garvey on BBC Radio 4’s ‘Woman’s Hour’ about the history of the school summer holiday here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0007k5n

I consulted and appeared as an on-screen expert for the Channel 5 and Viacom production, ‘Our Victorian Christmas’, where I discussed the working-class experience of Christmas.

Community oral history consultancy

I have been involved in oral history research since my undergraduate degree, and have designed oral history research projects both within and outside the academy. I have worked collaboratively with community groups, creative practitioners, and the wider public to run projects using oral history to support communities in exploring their own histories in ways relevant to their lives.

Between 2021-2023, I worked with radio producers and Bristol-based creatives on the ‘This is Your Bristol Life’ project, a National Lottery Heritage Funded project that examines and shares underrepresented aspects of Bristol’s history, delivering a series of oral history workshops. I also partnered with Yeovil Arts Space on a two-year community history project (2022-2024) working with under-served communities to drive a new understanding of the history of Yeovil which is inclusive, diverse and democratised. ‘Story of Yeovil’ aims to increase access and encourage interpretation of existing heritage and art collections, and engages throughout with the community to discover the meanings behind these heritage objects, utilising creative processes and outcomes.

I have also worked with external partners, creative practitioners and arts professionals to create opportunities for my students to engage with the public, including a recent project with Bristol Food Connections, which brought together final-year History students, MA Journalism students, and local food producers and artists on an oral history project.