Cumberland Lodge
Department of International History, LSE
Cumberland Lodge Weekend
Friday 1 November - Sunday 3 November 2024
Every year, the International History Department holds an event at Cumberland Lodge, a country house and conference centre in Great Windsor Park. Students and faculty meet to socialise and to explore a theme of historical and contemporary interest in a relaxed, relatively informal atmosphere.
This year's theme: "Nations and Their Frontiers"
Many theories of the modern nation state suppose an entity with clearly demarcated frontiers: where one nation state ends, another begins. But the study of history consistently reveals ways in which these frontiers have been and remain porous: not only can their locations be contested, but ideas, people, and goods often flow across them in ways not intended or even understood by the states they ostensibly separate. Since frontiers often lay at the peripheries of political power, they have at times been confined to the peripheries of academic discussion. At this year’s annual retreat at Cumberland Lodge, however, six scholars from the Department of International History will consider what happens when we put frontiers at the centre of our analysis rather than the margins. What, these scholars will ask, do the shared experiences of people living across international borders reveal about frontiers? To what extent might such reframing clarify the historical roles of transnational organisations and movements and thereby challenge, or at least complicate, the hegemony of the nation state? And finally, can reflecting on the role of physical borders inform our approach to social, technological, and ideological ‘frontiers’?
The programme consists of a range of seminars and sessions that take place throughout the weekend, featuring academics from our Department, and sometimes external.
Alongside the sessions, there will be free time for further historical discussion and debate, whether on walks through the park or in the Lodge’s fine drawing rooms. There will also be time to socialise with fellow students and staff members at meals and in the bar in the evenings.
The cost of the weekend is £100 per person. This includes coach transport to and from Cumberland Lodge, accommodation and all meals.
"Overall it was a very well organised and perfect event."
Yener (2018-19)
PhD International History
"I had a great time meeting some lovely people from the department over the weekend and I was grateful for the opportunity to get some fresh air! The lodge itself had a great deal of charm, and the lectures were conducive to some very interesting conversations. The food was pretty good too!"
Harry (2018-19)
MSc Theory and History of International Relations
"The Cumberland Lodge weekend has been one of the highlights of my time at LSE so far. The Lodge itself was like a palace, and, with its rich past and royal connections, was the perfect place to learn about the histories of freedom and subjugation. I really enjoyed the diversity of topics that were covered, from gulags in Siberia and human rights in Iran, to Communism in Poland and the four freedoms of post-World War II America. These all opened my eyes to completely different parts of history that I’d never considered before, and it was great to be introduced to some of the current research that members of staff are doing. The best part of the weekend, however, was getting to know other historians, whether that was through exploring the beautiful grounds and park together or just chilling in the bar of an evening. There was a real community atmosphere the entire weekend, and I’ve gained so many friends because of it. The weekend was such a brilliant experience – I learned a lot, met some great people, and loved it so much that I would thoroughly recommend everyone to take advantage of it."
Scott Gibson (2015-2016)
MSc Empires, Colonialism and Globalisation