Dr. Matthew Kidd

Biography

Matthew Kidd is a Departmental Lecturer and Course Director for the Advanced Diploma in Local History at the University of Oxford. He was awarded his doctorate from the University of Nottingham in 2016 and has held positions at the University of Oxford since 2019. His teaching focuses on collection preservation and the stories surrounding artifacts from the World Wars. Matthew is dedicated to engaging a broader audience with history and has featured in various media including podcasts, magazines, and appearances on Sky News and BBC Radio. His research primarily investigates nineteenth- and twentieth-century English history, with a particular emphasis on how 'ordinary' people contribute to the interpretation of political movements and ideologies at the local level. His book, 'Renewal Radicalism: Politics, Identity and Ideology in England, 1867-1924,' explores the continuity of radical traditions within the early Labour Party. He co-edits volumes and publishes articles on topics such as nationalism, internationalism, and socialism. Additionally, his work delves into memory and oral history, exemplified by his recent project focusing on social differences within the English spa town's working-class identity, contributing to ongoing debates on class in post-war Britain.

Research Interests