Who we are
Founded in 1921 by A. F. Pollard, the Institute of Historical Research (IHR) is an important resource and meeting place for researchers from all over the world. Based at the University of London, the IHR offers:
- IHR library - an outstanding open-access library
- conferences and seminars that are open to the public
- postgraduate degrees and research training
- The History Lab, a hub for postgraduate students
- resources for historical research in both digital format and print
- publications - including the Institute's journal Historical Research
Find out more in What we offer. You can also access a range of partner sites, including the websites of the IHR's three research centres:
and other partner sites:
- British History Online
- England's Past for Everyone (part of the Victoria County History)
- History in Focus
- History & Policy
- London's Past Online
- Making History
- Richard II's Treasure
- Royal Historical Society Bibliography of British and Irish History
These partner sites are developed in collaboration with the IHR, but are separately managed and/or funded, and have their own aims and goals.
The IHR receives external funding for some projects. For details of these see the Externally funded research projects page. To help us continue to provide free resources, please support us.
How the IHR is run
The IHR is guided by a written constitution and an Advisory Council. For details of the IHR's constitution, see the constitution paper, and for members of the Advisory Council see the Advisory Council members list.
The IHR activities are organised by a network of committees. See IHR/School of Advanced Study committee structure diagram and committee descriptions.
The Director, Professor Miles Taylor is responsible for the strategic direction and leadership of the Institute.
You can find more information about the IHR in our annual reports and in our newsletters. The current and future development of the IHR is detailed in the strategic plan. For details see the strategic plan 2006 and strategic plan 2007. There is more current news on the IHR news page.
The IHR is part of the School of Advanced Study (SAS), University of London.