A Lancaster University lecturer has been honoured for her dedication to history teaching, the wider study of history and supporting other history professionals.

Dr Jenni Hyde, an Associate Lecturer in the Department of History, has been awarded an Honorary Fellowship of the Historical Association (HA) .

These fellowships are given to people who have made a significant contribution to the HA’s twin aims: to bring together people who share an interest in, and love for the past; and to further the study and teaching and enjoyment of history in all guises and forms, professional, public and popular.

Dr Hyde, one of 16 people to receive an honorary fellowship this year, held the position of Associate Vice-President of the Historical Association from 2016 until 2019, and currently sits on the Branches and Members Committee. She is also a member of the editorial board of the HA’s members’ journal, The Historian.

Dr Hyde returned to Manchester University to complete her PhD in Tudor history in 2011 after taking a nine-year career break to start her family, and she believes her doctorate was, in part, made possible by the HA.

For many years she was secretary of the HA’s Bolton branch and now speaks regularly to other branches, history teachers and other groups about her research.

Dr Hyde said: “Without my involvement with the HA and the support I found at my local branch, I would probably not have had the confidence to return to university as a mature student to study for my PhD.

“What I love about the HA is the way it brings together people from all walks of life and all backgrounds who share a love of history, and to be recognised in this way for my contribution to that community means a great deal to me.”

The Historical Association is the only national charity which represents the history community at all levels, from primary school teachers, through secondary schools, to university academics, as well as public bodies and the general public.