Dr Paul Hamilton

Teaching Fellow in History Education & Academic Coordinator (Placements and Partnerships)

Institute for Education, Teaching and Leadership
Moray House School of Education and Sport
University of Edinburgh

Moray House School of Education and Sport

Street: Moray House School of Education and Sport
Institute for Education, Teaching and Leadership
Rm. 3.16c, Charteris Land
Holyrood Road
City: Edinburgh
Post code: EH8 8AQ

Biography

Background

Dr. Paul Hamilton is a Teaching Fellow in History Education at the Moray House School of Education and Sport, University of Edinburgh. His academic work focuses on the intersections of historical conflict, remembrance, and commemoration, with a particular interest in how societies construct and engage with the memory of war.

Paul’s research explores the ways in which traumatic historical events are represented, remembered, and taught within educational settings. His work examines the narratives surrounding war memorials, commemorative practices, and the role of public history in shaping collective memory. He is especially interested in how history education can support critical thinking about difficult and contested pasts, encouraging young people to engage thoughtfully with issues of conflict, identity, and historical interpretation.

In his role at Moray House, Paul contributes to the development of history education through teaching, curriculum design, and teacher professional development. He supports students in exploring innovative pedagogical approaches to teaching history, with an emphasis on critical inquiry, inclusive practices, and the ethical dimensions of historical understanding.

Paul is actively involved in projects and professional networks that focus on memory studies, historical consciousness, and the pedagogical challenges of teaching sensitive histories. His current work includes collaborations with educators and researchers to develop strategies for teaching difficult and uncomfortable histories in meaningful and responsible ways.

Paul is also the Academic Coordinator for Work-Based Placements and Partnerships at Moray House, ensuring the overall direction, conduct, governance, organisation, and quality of the placement experience across a range of programmes, but primarily those relating to Initial Teacher Education.

Prior to joining the University of Edinburgh, Paul taught history in secondary schools for thirteen years in the West of Scotland, as well as implementing and delivering the National Progression Award in Legal Studies for S6 pupils in West Dunbartonshire. Paul was also previously an Associate Tutor at the University of Glasgow's School of Education, supervising students on the MSc Educational Studies course.

Qualifications

LL.B (Hons)

M.A. (Historical Studies)

PGDE Secondary Education (History)

EdD

Responsibilities & affiliations

Vice-Chair: Skylark IX Recovery Trust

Fellow: Society of Antiquaries of Scotland

Associate Fellow: Royal Historical Society

Teaching & PhD supervision

Postgraduate teaching

MEd (Leadership & Learning)

PGDE Primary: Social Studies

PGDE Secondary: Curriculum & Pedagogy

PGDE Secondary: Professional Studies

Open to PhD supervision enquiries?

Yes

Research

Research summary

History Education: Paul has a strong interest in the pedagogy of teaching history - in particular the teaching of conflict and associated topics that are regarded by some as being 'difficult and uncomfortable histories'.

Legal Education: Paul also works with others at various institutions and organisations to develop approaches to legal education for school-aged pupils. In particular, issues of accessibility with regards to admission for the LL.B and Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Studies.