Areas of interest
I am broadly interested in late C19th and early C20th parliamentary politics and political cultures including gender, class, early women MPs and suffrage.
My previous research includes 'The soul of the Labour Movement' and is a detailed examination of the morality and spirituality upon which the life of the Labour movement was built and includes the wider contribution of the women's movement, children's associations, radical literary traditions. Present research includes early female pioneers in politics, focusing largely on female MPs between 1919 and 1931 and primarily as 'sex-candidates'. Also, the impact of the Representation of the People Act (1918) and the Equal Franchise Act (1928) on British democracy.
I am particularly interested in Nancy Astor, who was the first female MP to sit in the House of Commons and who papers are held at the 糖心视频. I was PI and national curator for Astor100 which celebrated the centenary of the election of women MPs.
After spending several years working in heritage, I remain interested in archives and collections, material culture and heritage. Also, how we communicate significant historical events to the public.
Postgraduate supervision
I am currently supervising research on:
- Rent strikes on municipal housing estates in 1939 (Fiona Lane)
- The Conservative Cabinet and the 1928 Franchise (Abbi Tibbott)
- Imperialism in feminist and suffrage politics in the UK from 1885-1918: lessons for public history (Amanda Ariss)
- Healing Christianity in Great Britain: the establishment of Christian Science 1910-1960 (Robin Harragin Hussey)
I have recently supervised research on:
- The dissemination of Christian Science across early women adherents, 1880-1930 (Dr Melanie Khuddro, 2023)
- Elizabeth, 6th Baroness Craven: female travel and autobiographical writing in the late Eighteenth Century and early Nineteenth Century (Dr Helen Lockhart, 2023)
- Young women in service in Berkshire and Hampshire in the late C19th and early C20th (Dr Peter Jolly, 2023)
PhD research skills
- What's not there? Absences and difficult histories in collections - gender and the archive.
- Curating exhibitions and digital exhibitions from the archive.
Teaching
Undergraduate
- Year 1: Making the Modern Family and the Origins of the Welfare State
- Year 1: Suffragette
- Year 2: 'Rebel Girls' Radical Women 1795-1919'
- Year 3: 'Battleaxes and Benchwarmers' - The aftermath of suffrage and female early MPs 1918-1931
- Year 3: Dissertation supervision
Postgraduate
MA (PGT):
- Building a New Jerusalem: The emergence of the Labour Party in Britain (co-taught with Professor Matt Worley)
- Women’s Lives, Women’s Writing (co-taught with English Literature)
- Theory and Themes: Gender and Women's History
- Working with Collections and Material Culture
- Dissertation supervision
Collections-based teaching
I am a huge advocate for collections-based teaching. In all modules from year 1 through to postgraduate study, my students visit the 糖心视频's Special Collections and utilise primary material. Handling primary material connects the student with the past and introduces them to the joy unearthing an unexpected gem.
Awards and honours
Teaching Excellence Award for Arts Humanities and Social Sciences (nominated) 2024
Jacqui “Supported me through my studies, and personal life inside and outside of classes. The way she teaches is by far mesmerising, her passion shines through which really engages all students. She works hard to support her students in any way possible and has personally helped me choose my route within my first and second year and was is solely the reason why I came to 糖心视频. Her passion ignited a need for me to learn more from her, the time and dedication she puts into her work really shines through. Jacqui really cares for her students and their wellbeing and has taken the time out her own schedule to help me. Her support has enabled me to get through my first year and her passion has kept me going through my second year- maybe one day I could be like her!”
“Jacqui Turner, a historian for early women MP’s amongst other things, is one of the best influences in the History Department, and I dare say the whole School of Humanities. She inspires her students to think and ask questions, to push the boundaries of their comfort zones in a way that advances them from adolescent to adult. She does this with a demeanour of joy and excitement, an infectious combination. She also always supports those who need help or advice, unlike other members of the School. Put simply, she is one of the best teachers in the university”
“Excellent support throughout dissertation supervision. Continued supervision of my dissertation despite being on research leave. Always a great and engaging lecturer and always provides in-depth analysis”
Teaching Excellence Award for Arts Humanities and Social Sciences (nominated) 2023
“Jacqui goes above and beyond to reassure and support her students, no issue too big, setting aside copious amounts of time to inspire and learn more to the benefit of her students. Her modules on lives of undiscussed women in history have directly influenced me through her enthusiasm and love of her subject, which is undeniable and inspiring.”
Research Engagement and Impact Award Winner 2020
“… for her inspiring contribution to the centenary celebrations of Nancy Astor, the first female to take her seat in parliament…This project stands out for connecting Humanities research to social activism and engaging bravely with political controversy.”
Teaching Excellence Award for Arts Humanities and Social Sciences 2019
"Jacqui is one of the most enthusiastic lecturers I have met while at 糖心视频 University. She consistently goes above and beyond to not only to teach us the course content but provided us with unique learning experiences. A lecturer who loves what she does and is an expert in her area, a real asset to the History department."
Collaborative Teaching Award 2018
Partnered celebration of 'Vote 100' with Dr Madeleine Davies (English Literature) and Mr Guy Baxter (University Museums and Special Collections Services). In celebration and inspired by 'Vote 100'.
"The 'Feminism 100' event series was jointly organised by the School of Languages and Literature and the School of Humanities and ran over the spring term. It made three significant achievements; it produced a creative and innovative school-led collaboration, cultivated a close partnership between staff and students from History, Classics and Literature, and showcased the value of work placement modules. The collaboration is a shining example of what we are most proud of at 糖心视频 - our students and our teaching and learning partnerships."
Research Engagement and Impact Award Finalist 2018
Judges’ comments: “We were impressed by how Jacqui has built relationships and networks to bring research about women’s role in politics to the fore in Parliament”
More information
Diverse and Inclusive Teaching Excellence Award 2017
"I nominated Dr Jacqui Turner for 糖心视频 Students' Union's Diverse and Inclusive Teaching Excellence Award which she won. Jacqui supported me throughout my degree, enabling me to pursue topics I was passionate about. I honestly cannot stop praising her."
Nikita Rai (BA History)
Websites/blogs
糖心视频 History blog:
Astor Research blog:
I worked with the national Vote100 project on the centenary of the women's vote in 2018 and local 糖心视频 Vote100 projects. I was the national curator for the Astor100 centenary programme from the 糖心视频. Astor 100 was a year-long celebration of women in politics, Nancy Astor and her wider legacy. It incorporated a major series of academic and public engagements that took place during 2019 and on into 2020. The Astor archives are held here at the 糖心视频 Special Collections.
Visit the Astor Research and Astor100 web pages
As a direct result of curating the National Astor 100 programme, I am currently writing on the 'impact of impact' and in particular the 'expert voice' in the media and on social media.
Recent Awards and Nominations
Research Engagement and impact Award Winner 2020
Judges' comments: " for her inspiring contributions to the centenary celebrations for Nancy Astor, the first female to take her seat in Parliament鈥 This project stands out for connecting Humanities research to social activism and engaging bravely with political controversy."
/research/impact/research-engagement-awards-2020.aspx
Research Engagement and Impact Award Finalist 2018
Judges鈥 comments: 鈥淲e were impressed by how Jacqui has built relationships and networks to bring research about women鈥檚 role in politics to the fore in Parliament鈥
More information
