Teacher Fellowship programme: The Caribbean, Monarchy and Legacies of Empire

Teacher Fellowship programme 2025

Teacher Fellowship programme: The Caribbean, Monarchy and Legacies of Empire

Although twelve Caribbean colonies gained independence during Elizabeth II's reign, only four opted to become republics (most recently Barbados, in 2021) and eight retain the British monarch as head of state to this day. Emphasising Caribbean sources and perspectives, this Teacher Fellowship programme examines the role of the British monarchy in the region and engages with debates over its ongoing legacies and possible future. In a context of ongoing constitutional reform and calls for reparation, the programme seeks to advance our understanding of the place of the Caribbean in histories of the British Empire and decolonisation, and to reframe how these topics are taught in schools.

Participants in this programme will work closely with researchers from the AHRC-funded project The Visible Crown: Elizabeth II and the Caribbean and course leaders Hannah Cusworth and David Rawlings. We will draw on a wide range of source material relating to national constitutions, regional and domestic political debates, Whitehall and Palace initiatives and perspectives, royal visits, ceremonies and symbols, as well as original data gathered from the first-ever Caribbean-wide survey of popular attitudes to Elizabeth II. We will also examine personal testimonies arising from oral history interviews conducted throughout the region. The programme will begin with a weekend residential at the University of Southampton on 11-13 September 2025.

View our introductory webinar: The post-emancipation Caribbean and the meanings of freedom

Applications are now closed. For enquiries please contact maheema.chanrai@history.org.uk 

  • How is the programme funded?

    This Teacher Fellowship programme is funded by the Visible Crown project in partnership with the Historical Association. The Visible Crown project is funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council.

    This funding ensures that attendance, accommodation and catering will be covered for all participants for the programme. Travel costs will be reimbursed.

  • Who is leading the programme?

    The programme will be led by experienced history teacher educators Hannah Cusworth and David Rawlings. Participants will work closely with the programme leaders and the Visible Crown academic team, drawing on their professional expertise to extend their understanding of how to teach the history of the Caribbean and develop resources for classroom use.

  • What are the intended outcomes of the programme?

    The aim of this programme is to build a community of history teachers committed to developing their understanding of the British Empire through focussing on the Caribbean. In particular, it seeks to reframe how the topics of empire and decolonisation are taught in schools by considering the continued role of the British monarchy in former colonies.

  • What is the structure of the programme?

    The programme is split into multiple stages, which are outlined below.

    Preparation

    • • Once accepted onto the programme, we would expect participants to undertake some preparatory reading and complete introductory tasks.
    • • Participants are expected to organise their own travel to Southampton for the residential and submit an expenses request.

     
    Residential

    • • The programme begins formally with an in-person residential from 11–13 September 2025 in Southampton. Attendance is compulsory and contribution to discussions is expected.

     
    Online course

    • • The programme continues in the autumn term with an 8-week online course which will take place from September to January 2026. Participants are expected to take an active part in the online course, posting and commenting in response to others each week. We expect a minimum of 3 hours each week to be spent reading, preparing for and participating in the online course discussions.

     
    Resource development

    • • Attendance is compulsory at a one-day workshop on Saturday 10 January 2026 to explore and agree course outcomes. Following this, participants will be expected to work on their outcome resource with support from the course leaders.
    • • Outcome resource development and reflection. We would expect draft resources to be submitted in Spring 2026. Once feedback has been received, participants are expected to incorporate any revisions and trial the resource in class before submitting their final resource in Autumn 2026.

     
    Resource editorial and publication

    • • If participants wish for their resource to be published on the HA website, and provided it is assessed up to standard, they are expected to engage fully with the revision and editorial process until Spring 2027.

Participants in previous Teacher Fellowship programmes have said:

 
“The programme has deeply enhanced my knowledge and understanding and re-sparked a historical curiosity which will ensure I question dominant historical narratives. My future teaching will be significantly affected and will benefit my colleagues.”

“The space to forensically reflect on resources has influenced my practice immeasurably. I’ve been able to use my professional learning in order to support other colleagues to do the same. This has been an exciting process and one that has boosted my confidence as a teacher, leader and historian.”

“The most amazing piece of CPD I’ve ever been on; a key turning point in my professional career, and an experience you’ll not find anywhere else. It really revitalised me and helped me to understand that what I do as a history teacher is important.”
  

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