The COVID-19 Crisis in the United States in Historical Perspective

Date: Thursday 11 June
Time: 5pm-7.30pm

During this informal talk, Gareth Davies (Professor of American History, UCL Americas), will present briefly on the federal government’s response to the current health crisis in the context of his work on US responses to natural disasters.

Gareth Davies joined the Institute from St. Anne’s College, Oxford, where he lectured in the history of the United States. Before that, he taught at Lancaster University and the University of Manchester. Gareth is an environmental and political historian, with particular interests in the history of social reform, the growth of the State, and—most recently—the history of U.S. responses to disasters.

His first two monographs investigated the political legacy of the 1960s.  The first of them, From Opportunity to Entitlement: The Transformation and Decline of American Liberalism, 1964-1972 (1996), was awarded the Organization of American Historians’ inaugural Ellis W. Hawley book prize, given for the best book in U.S. political history and political economy.  The second, See Government Grow: Education Politics from Johnson to Reagan (2007), won the Richard Neustadt book prize, awarded by the Political Studies Association’s American Political Group for the best book in U.S. government or politics.  His third book, nearing completion, examines the evolution of American responses to natural disaster since the 18th century.

In addition to his monographs, Gareth Davies has also edited two further books, one of which is concerned with the Reagan Presidency, and the other with the history of U.S. presidential elections.  He has published widely in leading history and political science journals, including the Journal of American History, Political Science Quarterly, and Presidential Studies Quarterly.

The presentation will be followed by a discussion, and, for those who wish, informal chat and drinks afterwards.This is an online event.