Historian Dr Shirin Hirsch selected as 2022 New Generation Thinker

Dr Shirin Hirsch is a historian who works jointly at Manchester Metropolitan University and the People’s History Museum in Manchester

Historian Dr Shirin Hirsch has been named among the 2022 New Generation Thinkers - 10 of the UK’s most promising and exciting early career researchers.

Every year, BBC Radio 3 and the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) hold a nationwide search for academics with new ideas that will resonate with a wider audience.

These New Generation Thinkers represent some of the brightest scholars in the country and their research has the potential to redefine our understanding of an array of topics, from our history to the way we speak.

Each New Generation Thinker will be given the opportunity to share their pioneering research by making programmes for BBC Radio 3.

Dr Hirsch is a historian who works jointly at Manchester Metropolitan University and the People’s History Museum in Manchester. She researches race, migration and the labour movement in modern British history.

Dr Hirsch, Senior Lecturer in Public History at Manchester Metropolitan, said: “I am delighted to be part of this scheme and to share my research with a wider audience. My work focuses on race, class and resistance in Modern British history and my New Generation Thinker work will explore the great communist boxer Len Johnson and the breaking of the 'colour bar' in a Manchester pub in 1953, as well as the fascinating story of the ‘Che Guevara of Bolton’. I'm also going onto the Free Thinking show soon to discuss the history of May Day. Please tune in.”

Dr Hirsch’s latest project focuses on the ‘colour bar’ and how it was resisted by racialised minorities in British history. She is the author of In the Shadow of Enoch Powell: Race, locality and resistance (Manchester University Press, 2018).

I am delighted to be part of this scheme and to share my research with a wider audience. My work focuses on race, class and resistance in Modern British history and my New Generation Thinker work will explore the great communist boxer Len Johnson and the breaking of the 'colour bar' in a Manchester pub in 1953, as well as the fascinating story of the ‘Che Guevara of Bolton’.

Her New Generation Thinker projects will build on this work, with programmes that explore the communist boxer Len Johnson and the breaking of the 'colour bar' in a Manchester pub in 1953, as well as revealing the story of the ‘Che Guevara of Bolton’, referring to the name which Pravin Parmar was known by his friends. In 1978, Parmar led a strike for higher wages, respect and equality for the predominantly Asian night shift workers at the Bulmer and Lumb mill. The workplace campaign was part of an anti-racist movement that helped transform Britain.

New Generation Thinkers

The 2022 New Generation Thinkers were announced as part of a special episode of Free Thinking on BBC Radio 3, now available to listen to on demand on BBC Sounds and as an Arts & Ideas podcast.

The New Generation Thinkers will have the prestigious opportunity to communicate their research by making programmes for BBC Radio 3. They will also be provided with access to training and support from AHRC and the BBC.

New Generation Thinkers alumni have gone on to become prominent public figures in their fields, as well as the face of major documentaries, TV series, and regular figures in public debate. They include Manchester Metropolitan academics, for instance Dr Seren Griffiths, Senior Lecturer in Public Archaeology and Archaeological Science, who was selected as a New Generation Thinker in 2020, while fellow historian Professor Catherine Fletcher was chosen for the scheme in 2015.

Professor Christopher Smith, AHRC Executive Chair said: “This prestigious partnership offers an opportunity for early career researchers to develop the confidence and skills to work with diverse audiences, and our New Generation Thinkers lead the way in building the public impact of arts and humanities.”

Alan Davey, Controller of BBC Radio 3 said: “Once again, Radio 3 joins the colleagues at AHRC to celebrate the New Generation Thinkers intake: 10 academics who are engaged in research projects exploring our past and present, linking these two dimensions, and offering interesting perspectives on our understanding of both.”