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.

           

News and Updates

High School History Day 2025: Delete Search History?

More than 300 high school students from across Southwestern Ontario filled the Social Science Centre at Western University on Thursday, November 6, 2025, for High School History Day—a day that proved history is very much alive, relevant, and worth defending.

These WW I amputees hiked from Alberta to Ontario on crutches a century ago

But unlike Fox, Hincks and McDougall have been, by and large, forgotten by history — until historian Eric Story came across their names in an old military magazine and decided to share their incredible feat.

Reflection on a Decade Since the Truth and Reconciliation Report

Indigenous studies and history professor Cody Groat reflects on the legacy of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, highlighting progress toward its 94 Calls to Action and the gaps that remain.

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