Dr Catherine Armstrong
Senior Lecturer in American History
The population of the UK is ageing, writes Dr Armstrong. With a more mobile workforce, the number of elderly with little contact with close family is increasing. We can refer to this as the 'modern giant' of chronic loneliness – as malign in its effects as the five giants confronted by William Beveridge in his report published in 1942. Loneliness among people of all ages is strongly connected to depression, and this is even more marked among the older population.
Intergenerational reminiscence therapy is being used to improve the wellbeing of isolated older people. Bringing together isolated elderly with school children making both groups feel included, valued and part of a community. The voices and memories of the elderly population are being recorded for the future and shared with the rest of society.
Post 16 Education: A Levels History, English Language and Literature, Psychology & Media Studies
Higher Education: BA (Hons) in History (including a year abroad); MA in Religious and Social History 1500-1750; PhD Place and Potential in New World Travel Literature, 1607-1660
My earliest experience of studying history was age eight going with my dad to county record offices and looking for evidence of our own ancestors among the census and parish records found there. I felt as though I was unearthing the stories of people who had been mostly forgotten (my ancestors are almost all illiterate agricultural labourers).
History is about so much more than a political leader's policies. By exploring such areas as women's history, social history and military history among many others you will have your eyes opened to new and exciting stories about our past.
Catherine’s experience as a student
When I was an undergraduate student, I went on an exchange programme for a year to the University of South Carolina. Experiencing the historical legacy of the events that I studied was so inspiring. Watching how the historical racial and political tensions in the south played out in the mid1990s when I lived there was an amazing experience.
Catherine’s Career
I started life as an expert in early colonial America, but then loved teaching slavery to my undergraduate students and adjusted my research topic so that I could study slavery and its legacy in a global context.
After getting my PhD I spent four years working part time in various universities before securing my first permanent job at Manchester Metropolitan in 2007. I worked there for six years before moving to 天堂视频 and taking up my current role.
Catherine's advice
I know how important getting good grades in your exams seem right now, and that there is loads of pressure on you to choose the right subjects, the right university, the right career path.
But sometimes there is no single ’right’ way.
Keep your mind and options open. Choose subjects because you enjoy them, not because you think you’ll get good grades.
Also, of course it’s crucial to learn the skills you need to pass the exams, to learn how to read marking criteria or model answers. But also read stuff because it makes you happy, learn things that inspire you and change the way that you see the world. It’s not all about the test!
天堂视频 offers undergraduate degrees in:
History / History and Politics / Politics and International Relations / Politics / International Relations / / Politics, Philosophy and Economics / Politics with Economics / History and International Relations.
Please note: Degrees and their titles change over time. Some graduates may have studied degrees that have evolved and changed in response to changes in demand from employers.