Dr AnneMarie Brosnan, Associate Professor in the History of Education at Mary Immaculate College, University of Limerick joins Oliver Mumford to discuss her latest book: A Contested Terrain: Freedpeople’s Education in North Carolina During the Civil War, examining the education experiences of Black North Carolinians through the American Civil War and Reconstruction period. The episode will discuss Dr Brosnan’s research into the diverse motivations, forces and experiences that drove educational efforts amongst freedpeople in a period of great change in the United States of America.

In this two-part instalment of Passing Notes Oliver Mumford is joined by Professor Tim Allender of the University of Sydney to discuss his award-winning book Empire Religiosity: Convent habits in colonial and postcolonial India. Professor Allender’s research considers how the Loreto Sisters - Roman Catholic female missionaries - operated in colonial and postcolonial India to carry out their educational mission.

In part two Professor Allender explores how the Loreto sisters worked as both outsiders and products of empire, and how they negotiated and worked within a colonial world. The episode follows the history of the order in India from their foundation to the present, considering the history of the order in shaping their contemporary role.

In this two-part instalment of Passing Notes Oliver Mumford is joined by Professor Tim Allender of the University of Sydney to discuss his award-winning book Empire Religiosity: Convent habits in colonial and postcolonial India. Professor Allender’s research considers how the Loreto Sisters - Roman Catholic female missionaries - operated in colonial and postcolonial India to carry out their educational mission.

In part one Professor Allender discusses the background and origins of his book, some of the unique challenges and opportunities that arose when researching this work, and the historical context behind the consolidation of the Loreto Sisters in nineteenth century Kolkata.

In this episode Oliver Mumford is joined by Dr Jonathan Doney from the University of Exeter to discuss Dr Doney's book: Unearthing Policies of Instrumentalization in English Religious Education Using Statement Archaeology. The book was awarded the 2023 Kevin Brehony Prize by the History of Education. Dr Doney discusses the origins, purpose and method of his approach: statement archaeology. The episode explores the use of this approach through the examination of developments of English Religious Education policy from 1944 to the 1980s.

Professor Gary McCulloch joins Oliver Mumford to discuss the life and work of Brian Simon, following Professor McCulloch’s recent biography of Brian Simon, authored with Antonio F. Canales and Hsiao-Yuh Ku. The episode explores the life of Brian Simon through his family life and educational experiences, his political engagement and beliefs, campaigns for equal secondary opportunities through comprehensive schooling and his contribution to the study and understanding of the history of education in Britain.

In this episode Oliver Mumford speaks with the Chair of Trustees at the National Education Museum, Anne Swift. Anne discusses the ideas behind the Museum's foundation, its development, and future. The significance of a new national museum, dedicated to the history of education in England and Wales is considered along with its current relevance.

Note: This episode was recorded before the 4th July UK General Election. Guest references to the 'present government' were made with regard to the previous (Conservative) government.

In this episode Professor Rosalind Crone of the Open University joins Oliver Mumford to discuss her book Illiterate Inmates: Educating Criminals in Nineteenth Century England. The book was awarded the 2023 Anne Bloomfield Prize by the History of Education Society UK, and examines the development, rise, and decline of prison education in England between 1800 and 1899. Discussing her research, Professor Crone reflects on the ideas, politics, and changes behind prison education, and some of its legacies today.

Professor Catherine Lee of Anglia Ruskin University in conversation with Syeda Ali about her research into Section of the Local Government Act which was passed in the UK in 1988. The law prohibited the 'promotion' of 'homosexuality' by local authorities in state schools and was the first anti gay-propaganda law. Lee reflects on her time as teacher during Section 28, and subsequently as a researcher and campaigner for LGBTQ+ teachers'.