OPEN Conversation: Discussion between Professor Patrick Salmon

13 March 2025
open

On 25 February, we hosted an OPEN Conversation between Professor Patrick Salmon, the Chief Historian at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, and Professor Patricia Clavin, Professor of Modern History at the University of Oxford and Co-Director of the Changing Global Orders Programme at the Oxford Martin School. Professor Martin Conway, Professor of Contemporary European History at the University of Oxford and Chair of the Faculty Board in History, facilitated the discussion.

Here are some of my key takeaways from the event:

  • History is already in play – Policymakers often use history, particularly analogies, to understand present policies. For instance, in foreign policy, it is often asked if an event is another Suez Crisis, or another Munich Agreement. Yet, such parallels betray the complexities of events, which always have their own unique circumstances. Historians sometimes have a role to play to highlight how the past is not comparable, and certainly should encourage policymakers to think in a rigorous, systematic way about history.
  • The skills historians have matter – It was suggested that policymakers make better decisions when they know history. An understanding of individual countries and how they relate to the world is a useful training for those in the policy world. The ability to craft a narrative to make sense of events is another vital skill that historians can bring.
  • Routes into policy impact – There was also a very practical discussion of how historians can get involved in policy engagement. History & Policy was highlighted as a good route in. It is an organisation that publishes historical reflections on policy issues, and forms connections between policymakers and historians. The importance of a good ‘elevator pitch’ – a three-minute summary of why your research matters for policy – was stressed. It was pointed out that organisations such as The British Academy have schemes, such as their Innovation Fellowships, to place academic researchers in policy organisations. The Universities Policy Engagement Network (UPEN) can also help you find support at your own university, while those at Oxford can join Oxford Policy Engagement Network (OPEN).

Thanks to everyone who came and contributed, and to those on our panel. It was a fascinating discussion.