Highly experienced Cambridge PhD Graduate teaching research methods in History and humanities subjects. I can support you with your research, literature reviews, analysis, and essay writing from A-lev

Learn more about Bonnie

• 1) When did you develop an interest in your chosen field and in private tutoring?

  I became fascinated with modern international history whilst I was studying at Oxford. I am an avid reader and I love reading new historical research in journals and books. I also have extensive experience of archival research and historical writing. I have over seven years of experience tutoring University and A-Level students. I particularly enjoy supporting students with their dissertations, essays and exam techniques. It is always a pleasure to see my students improve their grades as they develop their comprehension, analysis and writing skills.

• 2) Tell us more about the subject you teach, the topics you like to discuss with students (and possibly those you like a little less).

  I teach History from A-level through to PhD level, and beyond. I am a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. I can also teach economic and social history, the history of art, and the history of science. My own research and writing is currently focused on 20th Century international history, but I like teaching all periods and locations. I enjoy working with all students on their analysis and writing skills, and supporting them to become excellent researchers and writers. I have studied history at Cambridge, Oxford and Sussex Universities. I also have extensive experience writing for peer-reviewed journals with large international readerships.

• 3) Did you have any role models; a teacher that inspired you?

  I have had so many amazing teachers and colleagues who have inspired me! I have been privileged to have been taught by incredible historians such as Professor John Forrester, Professor Megan Vaughan, Prof. Evelyn Welch, Prof. Avner Offer, Prof. Mark Harrison, Dr Deborah Thom, Prof. Craig Clunas and others who have taught me diverse methodological approaches in historical research and writing. I have also been lucky to have been able to collaborate on teaching and research with amazing researchers in the History Department at Queen Mary such as Dr Rhodri Hayward, Professor Thomas Dixon and Saul Dubow.

• 4) What do you think are the qualities required to be a good tutor?

  I think the best way to teach students is to understand their unique learning styles. I have a Postgraduate Certificate of Academic Practice with distinction (Queen Mary University) that qualifies me to teach at University level and beyond.

• 5) Provide a valuable anecdote related to your subject or your days at school.

  When I was 11 years old, I won a school competition to design a poster for a 'smokebusters' public health campaign. I was flown to Geneva to present my little poster at the World Health Organisation headquarters. It was all very surreal but it established my lifelong interest in the history of the WHO and the growth of internationalism after the Second World War!

• 6) What were the difficulties or challenges you faced or still facing in your subject?

  I think that all good historians should challenge their methods, their assumptions, and their approaches, on a regular basis. That is what builds analytical skills. Like most historians, I love a good challenge and debate!

• 7) Do you have a particular passion? Is it teaching in general or an element of the subject or something completely different?

  I like to see students develop increasingly advanced levels of historical understanding so that they are able to think at a very advanced level of reasoning. Sometimes this happens gradually, but sometimes it happens as a rapid change. In either case, that is always a great teaching moment!

• 8) What makes you a Superprof (besides answering these interview questions :-P) ?

  I embrace the changes that online learning has created. I think I am incredibly lucky to be able to teach students from all backgrounds from all over the world. These opportunities are improving historical research and building new communities. I am very happy to be a part of this change.