Jane Mackelworth

Before starting her research Jane undertook an MA in Historical Research at Birkbeck College and previously took a BSc (Hons) in Psychology and Sociology at the University of Bath. Jane previously worked in the voluntary sector.

Research interests:
Jane’s research ‘Being at Home’ looks at the multiple meanings of home, family and belonging in the lives of a small circle of women between 1900 and 1960. It focuses in depth on the life of Vera ‘Jack’ Holme (1881 – 1969) and a small number of her friends and partners, who like Holme, enjoyed romantic relationships with women. Her research is particularly interested in the role played both by space and material culture. Through her research she is also exploring the subjective construction of self and identity.

Jane’s broad research interests are in the histories of gender; sexuality and in the development of concepts of selfhood. She is also interested in the history of belief; the decline in the belief in magic; the growth of science and the history of psychology.

Jane’s research is funded by the Centre for the History of the Emotions and the Centre for the Study of Home which is a collaboration between Queen Mary and the Geffrye Museum.