Rate Professor Zoe Laidlaw

Professional Summary: Professor Zoe Laidlaw

Professor Zoe Laidlaw is a distinguished historian based at the University of Melbourne, Australia. With a focus on British imperial history, her work explores the intersections of governance, networks, and colonial policy in the 19th century. Her academic career is marked by rigorous scholarship, significant publications, and leadership roles within the historical research community.

Academic Background and Degrees

Professor Laidlaw holds advanced degrees in history, reflecting her deep engagement with the field:

• PhD in History, University of Sheffield, UK
• BA (Hons) in History, University of Melbourne, Australia

Research Specializations and Academic Interests

Professor Laidlaw specializes in:

• British imperial history, particularly in the 19th century
• Colonial governance and policy-making
• Networks of empire and humanitarian movements
• Historiography of empire and settler colonialism

Her research often examines the mechanisms of power and influence within the British Empire, with a focus on Australia, South Africa, and Canada.

Career History and Appointments

Professor Laidlaw has held several prestigious academic positions:

• Professor of History, School of Historical and Philosophical Studies, University of Melbourne (current)
• Previously, Senior Lecturer and Lecturer at Royal Holloway, University of London, UK
• Research Fellow at various institutions, contributing to projects on imperial history

Major Awards, Fellowships, and Honors

Her contributions to historical scholarship have been recognized through:

• Australian Research Council (ARC) grants for projects on imperial networks and colonial governance
• Fellowships and visiting scholar positions at leading institutions focused on imperial and colonial studies

Key Publications

Professor Laidlaw has authored and co-edited influential works in her field, including:

• Colonial Connections, 1815-45: Patronage, the Information Revolution and Colonial Government (2005)
• Co-editor, Indigenous Communities and Settler Colonialism: Land Holding, Loss and Survival in an Interconnected World (2015)
• Numerous journal articles and book chapters on British imperial policy, humanitarianism, and colonial networks

Influence and Impact on Academic Field

Professor Laidlaw’s research has significantly shaped understandings of British imperial governance and the role of personal and political networks in colonial administration. Her work on humanitarian movements within the empire has contributed to broader discussions on ethics and power in colonial contexts. She is recognized as a leading scholar in settler colonial studies, influencing both academic research and teaching in imperial history.

Public Lectures, Committees, and Editorial Contributions

Professor Laidlaw actively engages with the wider academic and public community through:

• Delivering keynote lectures and presentations at international conferences on imperial and colonial history
• Serving on editorial boards for journals focused on historical and imperial studies
• Contributing to academic committees and networks that promote research in settler colonialism and British history