Dr. Ben Mechen

Biography

Ben Mechen is a social and cultural historian of modern Britain whose work focuses on the histories of gender, sex, and sexuality in late twentieth-century Britain. His research emphasizes the meanings attributed to gendered sexual health, happiness, freedom, popular culture, politics, and the human sciences. Beginning his journey with a PhD at UCL, he has published a range of articles, book chapters, and a monograph with the University of California Press. In 2024, he is set to co-edit a collection titled 'Men, Masculinities and Modern Britain: History and Present' for Manchester University Press. His notable research contributes to the critique of the apparent sexual liberalism of this period, exploring how new expectations and norms of permissiveness emerged. His current projects also delve into modern environmental history, collaborating on a study of the European timber trade's ecological impact from the late 19th to early 20th centuries. He aims to connect ecological thought with the history of organized environmentalism by reflecting on the ecological practices of the 1970s and 1990s. Ben holds various research and teaching roles at UCL, having returned after holding positions at multiple prestigious institutions, including the University of Bristol and King's College London. He completed his education in History at UCL with a BA, MA, and PhD.

Research Interests

Experience