Both the Astor 100 and the 2028 centenary project have been coordinated and led by Dr Jacqui Turner at the University of Reading, continuing the University’s reputation for innovative research and public engagement. Under her direction, the project aims to develop new understandings of the 1928 Representation of the People Act and its significance for British democracy and citizenship.
At the heart of the project is Reading’s postgraduate community. PhD students in History specialising in the interwar period form a core research group whose work combines academic scholarship with public impact. Their research not only deepens historical knowledge of the political and social transformations of the early twentieth century but also informs exhibitions, events, and resources that engage wider audiences. These students study topics across the interwar period, from politics to citizenship, from social housing to Christian Science. They have been brought together through a love of history at all stages of life and regularly contribute to ongoing projects. The British Class and Gender research group offers a stimulating intellectual environment, and some of Jacqui’s students were also involved in Vote 100 and Astor 100. You can find out more about this brilliant group here.
Through this blend of academic leadership and applied postgraduate research, the University of Reading provides the foundation for the project’s activities. This page will be updated with details of ongoing research, forthcoming publications, and opportunities to participate as the project develops.