Anniversary cultures: New histories of students and higher education

The Generation UCL: 200 Years of Student Life in London project examined life at the original London University (known as University College London since 1836) alongside many other institutions that eventually joined with UCL, capturing a diverse range of higher education experiences.

This free one-day conference seeks to open the discussion beyond London students, examining new ways of writing histories of universities and inviting exploration of students’ everyday lives, fees and funding, collegiate cultures, social and political engagement, religion, physical and mental health, recreation, sports and leisure as well as changing student attitudes to class, race, gender, sex and sexuality.

This event also invites reflection on how and why different types of institutions mark anniversaries, and the role historical research can play in this process.

2026 Richard Aldrich Lecture

Pioneering Global Trends in Education, 1817-1835

Hear Professor Rosinka Chaudhuri talk about an unprecedented upheaval in social, religious and political thinking in early 19th century Calcutta, drawing from her new book.

This talk forms the 2026 Richard Aldrich Lecture, coming at the end of the conference. You can register to attend either the full conference, or just the lecture and drinks reception.

Related links

• International Centre for Historical Research in Education
• Department of Education, Practice and Society

Image

School of Pharmacy, UCL Special Collections.

Student at Hindu College – painted by Emily Eden.