Good News Stories and Events
October 2026
October 2026
Prof. Kelly awarded a British Academy/Leverhulme Small Research Grant
Prof. Stephen Kelly was recently awarded a British Academy/Leverhulme Small Research Grant SRG for the 2026 (Sept.) Round.
The award totals £7,640.00.
This award will support Stephen's latest research project, which analyses U.K. prime minister John Major's contribution to the Northern Ireland peace process during the 1990s.
The title of the project is: ‘A better future’: John Major and the Northern Ireland peace process, 1990-1997.
This two-year research project represents the third and final phase of Stephen's ongoing research on the Conservative Party and Northern Ireland, 1968-1998. To date, he has completed separate monographs on the contributions of Margaret Thatcher and Edward Heath to the U.K. government’s Northern Ireland policy. This new research project, focusing on John Major, is the final instalment of this trilogy and will form the basis of his final monograph, The Conservative Party leadership and the Northern Ireland Troubles, 1969-1998: 'No textbook solutions' (under contract: Bloomsbury, 2029).
On receiving this award, Prof. Kelly expressed sincere gratitude to the Liverpool Hope community for supporting his research endeavours and, in particular, to Dr Allison Elliott-Shannon, Hope's Research and Innovation Facilitator, and Stephen's colleagues within the School of Humanities.
October 2026
On Sunday 25 October Liverpool Hope University hosts 'Nuremberg 80', a civic event marking 80 years since the first verdicts handed down by the International Military Tribunal (the Nuremberg Tribunals) in October 1946.
The prosecution of leading Nazis - for war crimes, crimes against humanity, and waging aggressive war - represents the true beginning of international criminal law and the verdicts continue to hold profound legal and historical significance.
As living memory of the Second World War fades, and as many of the moral assumptions that shaped the postwar order come under increasing strain, there is renewed urgency to reflect on the legacy and principles of Nuremberg. This will also be an opportunity to recall the significant Liverpool political connection to the story, as both lead British prosecutors were MPs representing constituencies within what is now the Liverpool City Region. The event will feature contributions from descendants of the protagonists, as well as leading academics and authors.
On behalf of Mr Robin Makin and the School of Humanities, Professor Bryce Evans invites any interested staff and students to the i3 Building for this event, which will take place between 14:30 and 17:00 on the day. Afternoon tea will be served. Due to the sensitive nature of this commemoration, registration is essential and can be completed via the online store: Events | Liverpool Hope University Online Store
Digital Humanities and Culture Research Group
The Digital Humanities and Culture Research Group are holding their "Launch Workshop: Mapping Our Digital Humanities Community" on Wednesday 14th October at 2pm at Hope Park, Room: AJB 058. You can find more information on the aims and objectives of the group here, along with a list of their future events.
Over the years, a number of our academic colleagues in the School have delivered their inaugural lectures which signifies their achievement of reaching University Professor. These lectures showcase their expertise, research achievements, and career journey.
- Professor Steven Shakespeare, "Romancing Nature? Philosophy of Religion in an Age of Ecological Crisis" - recorded event available here.
- Professor Guy Cuthbertson, "A Return to Nature: The Pursuit of 'the simple life', from Edward Thomas to the present day" - recorded event available here.
- Professor Stephen Kelly, "A shared history: A personal reflection on the Northern Ireland conflict and the search for truth and reconciliation" - recorded event available here.
- Professor Bryce Evans, "The Most Important Thing in the World: Absence and Abundance in Modern History" - recorded event available here.
Honorary staff:
- Professor Peter McGrail, "Living under the shadow of 'a lonely and sacramentally-starved old age?' Liturgical realities and opportunities in the Archdiocese of Liverpool - recorded event available here.
- Professor Frank Cottrell-Boyce, "Where do Ideas Come From?" - recorded event available here.
- Reverend Professor Daniel Jeyaraj, "Christian Mission as 'Service to the Soul" and "Service to the Body" - recorded event available here.
- Professor Bill Jones - recorded event available here.