Franziska Augstein, Kathleen Burk, Justin Champion, Peter Mandler, and Benedikt Stuchtey discuss the contested field of public history, its strengths, shortcomings, and developments, and the place of history in public life in general.

Keynote lecture given on 25 March 2010 as part of the international conference "German Society in the Nazi Era: Volksgemeinschaft between Ideological Projection and Social Practice", 25-27 March 2010 at the German Historical Institute London

On Thursday, 11 March 2010, the 7th Annual Lecture on Contemporary German History took place at the German Ambassador's Residence, in co-operation with the German Historical Institute London. This year, Richard J. Evans FBA, Regius Professor of Modern History at the University of Cambridge and one of the most eminent British experts on German history spoke about "British and Germans: Perceptions and Misperceptions since the Second World War". Professor Evan's fascinating account of the way Germany and the Germans have been portrayed in Britain over the past 65 years was peppered with many examples from political debates and the press. More than 120 guests were reminded of many perceptions - and even more misperceptions - of the Germans, which have sometimes reflected deep-rooted beliefs, and at other times have been the reaction to current political developments in Europe and beyond.

The 2009 Annual Lecture "The 1970s in Europe: A Period of Promise or Disillusionment?" was given by Professor Hartmut Kaelble, Humboldt University of Berlin, on Friday, 13 November 2009.