Since graduating from ANU with my first degree in 1977 I’ve mainly worked as a professional historian (after the usual couple of years messing about, as you do; or did). I’ve published twenty-two books of various kinds and been involved in many historical enterprises, from exhibitions to films and public events. Some of the sorts of work I now do did not exist when I was at university – the whole field of ‘public history’ has been defined and even invented since then. But what does that mean? What does working as a military social historian entail? What training or experience does it call upon? What attributes does it require? What risks or compromises does it bring? What choices, issues and decisions does it involve? In this talk I’ll discuss some of the projects in which I’ve been involved as a public historian who has specialised in military or, better, military social history. I’ll raise, and welcome, questions about the sort of work I’ve done.

Dr Peter Stanley has been the inaugural head of the Centre for Historical Research at the National Museum of Australia since 2007. He was formerly Principal Historian at the Australian War Memorial for twenty years, where he worked from 1980. In the past year or so Peter has published four books: Invading Australia: Japan and the Battle for Australia, 1942 (Viking Penguin); A Stout Pair of Boots (Allen & Unwin); Men of Mont St Quentin (Scribe) and Commando to Colditz (Murdoch/Pier 9). His future books will include Bad Characters: Sex, Crime, Mutiny and Murder in the Great War (2010) and Simpson’s Donkey, a fictional book for children (2011).