Martha Beard

Martha Beard is a doctoral researcher based in the Centre for Memory, Narratives and Histories in the School of Humanities at the University of Brighton. Martha`s research is interdisciplinary and takes approaches from cultural, social and political history, memory studies, archive theory and life-history to examine and evaluate the role of oral history as a peacebuilding tool in Northern Ireland. In this historical context, Martha`s research interacts with the theory, history and debates related to the practice of conflict resolution, conflict transformation and reconciliation in dealing with the past at a local, regional and transnational level. A core part of her work is practice-based and involves the critical exploration of the strategies and practices devised by the Dúchas Oral History Archive, situated in West Belfast, from c.1999, to acknowledge and deal with a conflicted history of the Troubles and to build relationships across social and political divisions in the Northern Irish peace process.

Martha has engaged with community relations work in and around West Belfast and continues to be interested in State policy and practice. Before starting her PhD, she worked as a History teacher and she maintains a strong interest in aspects of teaching and learning. 

Martha is also a fellow at Cumberland Lodge.