About Us
The History Department studies the past to prepare historically informed global citizens for the challenges of today and tomorrow. Our faculty and students produce historical knowledge and interpretations that reveal how and why the past matters.
We have several areas of research focus in history: Canadian, Digital, Environmental/ Science/Medicine, Gender/Women, Indigenous, International/Global, Public History, Social/Cultural, and War/Conflict. Several of our faculty have cross-appointments to other departments or programs.
In geographic terms, we teach undergraduate and graduate courses on Canada, the United States, Europe, East Asia, Middle East, and Africa. Our department supports an undergraduate program in International Relations, in conjunction with the Department of Political Science, and we run an undergraduate program in American Studies. Our graduate students earn a PhD in History or MA in History. The MA options include a 12-month program, and a Public History field.
It was hoped that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy would take part in peace talks Thursday in Turkey with Russian President Vladimir Putin. But while Zelenskyy is there, Putin isn't, with Moscow instead sending a delegation of low-level officials. Western History Assistant Professor Oleksa Drachewych joined London Morning to share his take on what happens now.
History and Indigenous Studies professor Cody Groat joined CTV Your Morning to discuss the significance of King Charles changing his itinerary to meet with three Indigenous leaders ahead of the throne speech.
History Professor William Turkel has been announced as one of the three first-ever Western Generative AI Teaching Fellows, a new program that seeks to cultivate innovative projects and enhance the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in teaching and learning across campus. He will begin his two-year term in July 1, time during which he plans to create five open-access, customizable teaching modules to prepare students for future work alongside AI.
Professor Cody Groat was interviewed for his research and commemoration efforts at the Ingersoll Rural Cemetery's potter's field. On Saturday, June 7, a new monument was unveiled at the site to honour and remember the hundreds buried without a name or headstone due to race, poverty or other social issues. Professor Groat has been at the forefront of investigative efforts to establish the identities of those buried in the potter's field, and share their stories.
Mark Carney unveiled his first cabinet as elected prime minister on Tuesday, May 13, 2025. History and Indigenous Studies Assistant Professor Cody Groat speaks on what the appointment of three Indigenous MPs will mean for Indigenous peoples across Canada.
HMCS Prevost is hosting an unveiling event on Sunday, May 4, for the 80th anniversary of the Second World War's longest battle. Professor Jonathan Vance is cited in the article speaking on the importance of the Battle of the Atlantic.
A court decision last week “is a less resounding victory for McGill and Concordia than one might assume,” writes Assistant Professor Jeffery Vacante. “By focusing on the (Quebec) government’s failure to provide sufficiently compelling evidence to back up its policies, rather than dealing with the claim that the policies violated the Quebec and Canadian Charter of Rights, Judge Éric Dufour has in effect upheld the underlying premise of the Quebec government’s policies.”
Hudson's Bay Co, has asked a court to allow it to put the royal charter that launched the company 355 years ago on the auction block, along with its trove of art and historical artifacts. Cody Groat, a history professor at Western University in London, Ont., says this would be a mistake because of its 'political and cultural' significance.
March 19, 2025. Talks between Presidents Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump appear to have yielded, as of this moment at least, a 30-day ceasefire against energy and infrastructure targets in Ukraine. But how close are we to seeing a full cessation of hostilities between Russia and Ukraine? We consider that with: Marci Shore: Professor of History at Yale University; Marta Dyczok: Associate Professor of Political Science at Western University; and Andres Kasekamp: Professor of History and Chair of Estonian Studies at the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy at U of T.
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