Historical Association Conference 2026 in Newcastle
Friday 15–Saturday 16 May at the Hilton Newcastle Gateshead
Catch a train to Newcastle-upon-Tyne and join us for our annual conference on 15-16 May 2026. In one of the oldest cities of English history (Romans onwards) we have a packed programme of talks and workshops, as well as a few trips that might take your fancy. The keynote speakers will span the time periods of early modern through to modern times.
Keynote speakers
It will be the last chance to catch our current President, Professor Alexandra Walsham of Cambridge University, give a keynote lecture as her term of office comes to an end following conference. This year she will be speaking on ‘The destruction of Stonehenge: history, imagination, and truth’, and based on her previous two conferences she is bound to leave the room speechless as they scribble down notes.
On the Friday evening, we have a keynote from the current Director of the Rothermere American Institute at the University of Oxford, Professor Adam Smith, speaking on ‘How to historicise the contemporary United States’.
Our Saturday morning keynote is from Professor Emma Griffin, Head of the School of History at Queen Mary, University of London who will be speaking on ‘Workers and the making of the modern world’. All three keynotes have extensive book catalogues to their names in addition to being leading authorities on their subjects.
Education strands
In addition, we have our Dawson Lecture which recognises outstanding contributions to education, which will be delivered this year by Dr Michael Maddison, and a special education keynote from Ofsted’s national lead for history.
As always, here are a wide range of workshops covering curriculum, pedagogy and examinations delivered by leading figures as well as new rising stars in history education in the UK.
General strand
Of course it is not all about keynotes and education; we have plenty to offer in our general strand with historical talks spanning student protests, the Ottomans, medieval Japan, and Napoleon on film.
There will also be opportunities to join guided walks, and this year a special offer to join us early and visit Lindisfarne.
Connect with the history community
HA conference is not all about the programme, it is also about meeting old friends and making new ones. Chatting about history as well as learning about it, having the opportunity to find out something new and laugh about the old (and that is just the optional evening quiz). It is a great chance to get away to somewhere that is all about indulging a passion for knowledge delivered by experts in a city that is dripping with the history of centuries.
It is our first time in the Toon so do join us and let's see if we can make it into a canny event on the Tyne.
HA members can take exclusive advantage of Early Bird rates until Friday 13 March.
‘Jim and Bob’ bursaries
We are excited to introduce the ‘Jim and Bob’ Bursaries for Early Career and trainee teachers, generously funded by Ian and Pat Dawson, which commemorate the contributions of two inspirational history educators. The bursaries will support two early career or beginning teachers, based in the historic counties of Lancashire and Yorkshire, to attend the HA Conference. Find out more and apply
Image: Newcastle Gateshead Quayside at sunset. Newcastle Gateshead Initiative. Copyright ©no. Credit: Visit England (30914230342_o). View website