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Social history is the history of society and cultures, the assessment of continuities and changes in human behaviour across time. Raphael Samuel, a pioneer of social history described it thus: ‘Social history is quite different. It touches on, and arguably helps to focus, major issues of public debate, as for example on British national character or the nature of family life. It mobilises popular enthusiasm and engages popular passions.’ (History Today, March 1985).
Social historians at Kent have a wide range of interests, which include: the history of social policy; youth welfare and justice; gender; class; race and ethnicity; the magistracy; philanthropy; criminology; crime; work; volunteering; health; regeneration and poverty.
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The Children’s Act 1908 Conference: Centennial Reflections, Contemporary Perspectives, 30 June and 1 July 2008
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