Dr Laura Gillespie

Laura Gillespie is a historian of nineteenth and twentieth century US history. She holds a BA, MA, and PhD from Queen's University Belfast.

Laura is currently Lecturer in Modern American History at Liverpool John Moores University. Previously, she worked at the University of Hull and Queen's University Belfast.

Laura's current research project is a monograph based on her PhD thesis. This project uses grassroots organizing as a lens to study the development of Black politics within refugee or “contraband” camps during the Civil War and Reconstruction. It argues that the activism of formerly enslaved people within these camps was essential in transforming the national political landscape of the United States in the post-Emancipation era, and resulted in the creation of a distinct African American politics that carries through to this day.

She is also working on a project exploring the Clan Mothers of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy's role as political leaders from the 1600s to now. This research uncovers Haudenosaunee historical conventions associated with female governance and explores the ways in which Haudenosaunee women innovatively engaged in diplomacy and politics from their first contact with settler colonists.

Degrees

2022, Queen's University Belfast, United Kingdom, PhD in History
2015, Queen's University Belfast, United Kingdom, MA in History
2014, Queen's University Belfast, United Kingdom, BA Joint Honours History and English

Academic appointments

Lecturer in Modern American History, Liverpool John Moores University, 2024 - present
Postdoctoral Research Associate, University of Hull, 2022 - 2024
Associate Lecturer, Queen's University Belfast, 2021 - 2022
Teaching Associate, Queen's University Belfast, 2018 - 2021