Contact
Biography
I am a historian of the Second World War with particular research interests in the conflict fought between the Allies and Fascist Italy, 1940-1943.
I completed my PhD, MA and BA in the Department of History at the University of Nottingham between 2010 and 2018. Between 2018 and 2021 I undertook the role of Research and Knowledge Exchange Fellow within the School of Humanities. I supported portfolio of projects to increase the impact of research, support submissions to the REF, and develop research grant bids across the School.
Since February 2021 I have been a Teaching Associate in Modern History within the Department of History. I have contributed to the following team-taught modules: 'Learning History' (HIST1001); 'Reformation to Revolution: An Introduction to Early Modern Europe, c.1500-c.1800' (HIST 1006); 'Roads to Modernity' classes (HIST 1009); 'Contemporary World Since 1945' classes (HIST 1014); 'European Fascisms' (HIST2029); 'Dissertation (History)' (HIST3018); '(Mis)Perceptions of the Other: From Savages to Barbarians, to the Exotic & Erotic' (HIST4042); 'Past Futures: Reimagining the Twentieth Century' (HIST 4058). In the 2021-2022 academic year I also Co-Convened 'Past Futures'. Since the 2022-2023 I have Convened the Year III Spring Option 'Cultures & Power in Fascist Italy & Nazi Germany' (HIST3046).
In 2023 I was nominated for a Lord Dearing Award for Teaching & Learning.
I am currently the Department of History UG Peer Mentoring Coordinator.
Expertise Summary
Publications:
''Everybody to be Armed': Italian Naval Personnel and the Axis Occupation of Bordeaux, 1940-1943', The British Journal of Military History, 6/3 (2020), 23-41. Available here.
War Through Italian Eyes: Fighting for Mussolini, 1940-1943 (Routledge: Abingdon, 2021). Available here.
'Review: Pride in Prejudice: Understanding Britain's Extreme Right by Paul Jackson', Contemporary British History, (05.09.2022). Available here.
'Review: Italian Partisans & British Forces in the Second World War: Working with The Enemy, by Nicola Cacciatore', Journal of British Studies (09.09.2024). Available here.
Teaching Qualifications:
November 2024 - Awarded Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education (PGCHE) with Distinction, School of Education, University of Nottingham.
Successful completion of the PGCHE programme also awarded me status as Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (Spring 2023), & Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (Spring 2024).
Past Administrative Roles:
2022-2024 - School of Humanities Postgraduate Student Advisor (SPGSA).
2023-2024 - School of Humanities PGR Peer Mentoring Coordinator.
2021-2024 - Convenor, Department of History Research Seminar Series.
Public Engagement Work & Knowledge Exchange Activities:
Educator & Facilitator with on the following FutureLearn Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs): Spring 2020 - 'Propaganda and Ideology in Everyday Life', the University of Nottingham & the British Library; Spring 2020 - 'Learning from the Past: A Guide for the Curious Researcher', the University of Nottingham, the University of Birmingham and the British Library; Autumn 2021 - 'Photographing the Holocaust', the University of Nottingham & the National Holocaust Museum.
2020-2022 - Senior Historical Advisor for the Trent Park Museum Trust (Registered Charity No. 1169382).
January 2022 - Invited to deliver public lecture entitled: 'Beyond the Brava Gente: Rethinking the Italian Experience of the Second World War' for the Southgate District Civic Voice Open Meeting.
2021-2023 - 'Historical Consultant' to two novelists, Dr Sarah Denley & Tessa Harris, author of The Light We Left Behind (London: HarperCollins, 2021).
2023-2024 - On-screen 'Contributor' for the following television documentaries - Episode I: Series IV,Every Family Has a Secret television series, (Artemis Media, 2024); Episodes I-V, How to Lose a War documentary series, (WildBear Entertainment, 2023).
2024 - Invited to interview for an episode of the New Books Network podcast series to talk about my book, War Through Italian Eyes.
February 2025 - Interviewed for BFBS Forces News article entitled: 'Military or Emotion: Why Does Donald Trump Want to Take Back the Panama Canal?'