Dr William King
William King joined the GHIL in April 2021. He is a historian of modern Britain and Europe, and his current research examines the history of Euroscepticism in Britain. Prior to joining the GHIL, he was a Teaching Fellow in History at Sciences Po. William holds an MPhil in Historical Studies from the University of Cambridge and a Ph.D. in International History from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE).
Research Project
Euroscepticism in history
This project is part a European-wide project exploring Euroscepticism in history, involving researchers from the German Historical Institutes in London, Rome, Warsaw, and the Hamburg Institute for Social Research.
William’s research focuses on British history and Euroscepticism with a particular emphasis on Barbara Castle, the European Parliament and the Labour Party. It will focus on key individuals who actively shaped and influenced the European integration project; many of them opposed British membership. The project as a whole will be used as a ‘way in’ to explore the “Eurosceptic” British Labour Group and their engagement in the Socialist Group and the European Parliament. It will explore how they played a significant part in constructing and forming EEC/EC policy in many important areas and how they potentially enhanced the prestige and power of the European Parliament, but also their limited contributions and/or frustrations. This approach will allow appreciation of the varied forms of “Eurosceptic” views and figures in the British Labour Group.
Responsibilities at the GHIL
- Research Fellow in Modern History
Research Interests
- British History
- Euroscepticism
- Chemical, Biological, Nuclear and Radiological Weapons (previous research)
- Twentieth Century International Politics
- European History
- History of Emotions
Education and Academic Background
| Since 2021 | Research Fellow, German Historical Institute London |
| 2020–2021 | Teaching Fellow, Sciences Po |
| 2015–2019 | PhD in International History, London School of Economics and Political Science |
| 2014–2015 | MPhil in Historical Studies, St Edmund’s College, University of Cambridge |
| 2013–2014 | MA in International Security and Intelligence, King’s College, London |
| 2010–2013 | BA in Politics and International Relations, University of Lancaster |
Fellowships, Grants, and Scholarships
| 2018- | Fellow of The UK Higher Education Academy |
| 2015-2019 | LSE PhD Studentship - Funding for tuition fees and maintenance |
Honours and Distinctions
| 2016-17, 2017-18, 2018-19, 2019-20 | LSE Class Teacher Award (for excellence in teaching) |
Publications
Monographs and Edited Volumes
Nerve Agents in Postwar Britain: Deterrence, Protests and Disarmament, 1945-1976 (London, 2021) (Read more)
Articles and Chapters
‘Centre Stage: Ken Collins, the European Parliament, and Environmental Policy, 1979-1989’, JEIH Journal of European Integration History, 28:2 (2022), 225-246 (Read here)
‘A Weapon Too Far: The British Radiological Warfare Experience, 1940-1955’, War in History, 2021 (Read here)
With Jeanne Guillemin, ‘The price of alliance: Anglo-American intelligence cooperation and Imperial Japan’s criminal biological warfare programme, 1944–1947’, Journal of Intelligence & National Security, 34:2 (2019), 263–77.