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History Lab

Impact Studios
Darlinghurst
AIDS Crisis
Colonial Portraiture
Australian History
Colonialism
Indigenous History
Portraiture
Bennelong
First Nations
Democracy
Caribbean Australians
Australian Colonial History
First Nations Representation
HIV
Sydney
Indigenous Peoples
Ostenaco
Empires
Peter Jackson
Queer Culture

History Lab || exploring the gaps between us and the past || This series is made in collaboration by the Australian Centre for Public History and Impact Studios at the University of Technology, Sydney.

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes72Founded9 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
EducationSociety & Culture

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Artwork for History Lab

Latest Episodes

Following our special series, Emergency Exit, this episode of History Lab looks at what happened to those who didn't escape Nazi persecution in Europe in the 1930s and '40s.

Historian Nadia Wheatley's Strange New World began with a manilla envelope:... more

YouTube

In this bonus episode, Ana Filipa Vrdoljak speaks with Rob Quinn, executive director of Scholars at Risk, about the international network's work protecting the human rights of threatened scholars and defending academic freedom. Founded in 1999 at the... more

YouTube

In this bonus episode, employment and human rights lawyer Josh Bornstein talks with Katherine Biber about the family history that shaped his career. Bornstein's grandparents left Poland in 1933 hoping to escape, finally securing passage to Melbourne ... more

YouTube

In the aftermath of World War II, a charismatic Estonian man named Ilmar Tammelo arrived in Australia as one of more than 170,000 in the Displaced Persons Scheme. Trained as a lawyer and shaped by the upheavals of Soviet and Nazi occupation, Tammelo ... more

YouTube

Key Facts

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Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Nadia Wheatley
Australian writer, historian and author of Strange New World
Episode: Strange New World: Bergen-Belsen after liberation
Linda Jaivin
Australian author, translator, essayist, novelist and specialist writer on China
Episode: Strange New World: Bergen-Belsen after liberation
Robert Quinn
Human rights lawyer, lecturer, author, and executive director of Scholars at Risk
Scholars at Risk
Episode: Scholars at Risk | Emergency Exit Bonus 2
Josh Bornstein
Employment and human rights lawyer specializing in employment and labour relations law, and author
Episode: Bureaucratic violence today: an interview with Josh Bornstein | Emergency Exit Bonus 1
Ilmar Tammelo
Estonian lawyer and later legal scholar in Australia
University of Melbourne / Australian Legal Academy
Episode: Displaced | Emergency Exit Ep3
Otto Bondy
Viennese lawyer who fled Nazi Austria and faced surveillance in Australia
Australian archives / legal philosophy circle
Episode: Displaced | Emergency Exit Ep3
Julius Stone
Professor of Law, mentor in Australian legal circles
University of Sydney
Episode: Displaced | Emergency Exit Ep3
Katherine Biber
UTS legal historian
University of Technology Sydney
Episode: Displaced | Emergency Exit Ep3
Anthony Blackshield
Jurisprudence and constitutional law expert
University of Melbourne / Legal Academia
Episode: Displaced | Emergency Exit Ep3

Hosts

Michelle Arrow
Host aligned with History Lab Studio and Field Notes segments; frequent collaborator with Australian Historical Association.
Regina Botros
Engages as a host introducing series and contributing to History Lab Live discussions.
Tamsen Peach
Lead host for Studio and History Lab Live formats; facilitates interviews.

Reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars from 154 ratings
  • Poorly researched and deceptive

    John Harris (a triple PhD) rips this podcast to shreds in his well-researched book, ‘Judging the Macquaries’. Particularly be weary of their episode, ‘The Bank, the Seargant and his Bonus’.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    1235323532
    Australia5 years ago
  • The Last Outlaws - compelling listening

    Beautifully and sensitively told, The Last Outlaws series is compelling listening. The story of the last men outlawed in Australia, tangled in histories of race, federation, truth and justice.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Jumbalaya**}]
    Australia5 years ago
  • Unearthing corners of Australian history

    History Lab is a thoughtful history podcast that takes you on some surprising corners' of Australia's history. The episode on how fortune telling was illegal in Federation era Australia is perhaps one of their best!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    patronise
    Australia6 years ago
  • Interesting!!!

    Loving this fascinating history podcast! Well researched and well told! So interesting

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    2000mars
    Australia7 years ago
  • Well made

    I recommend this pod. Well made and interesting stories. Great to hear Australian voices and stories.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Greenbean33
    Australia8 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Broad, inclusive approach to Australian history with archival depth.
Excellent for listeners who enjoy nuanced, sourced historical narratives.
Thoughtfully produced and research-driven history with engaging storytelling.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Strange New World: Bergen-Belsen after liberation
Q: How did Belsen become a Jewish displaced persons camp, and what role did its residents' political organising play?
The Central Jewish Committee pressed for a Jewish-only camp and for a homeland in Palestine. Wheatley describes how survivors' testimony to Earl Harrison informed his report to President Truman, while their broader organising helped bring pressure on British policy.
Strange New World: Bergen-Belsen after liberation
Q: What did the British do wrong in the relief effort, and how did that lead to deaths among survivors?
Wheatley says the British had time to prepare but sent inadequate medical support, underestimated the number of typhus cases and failed to provide food safely. Survivors were given large quantities of food they could not tolerate, and later some were subjected to force-feeding experiments with protein hydrolysate.
Bureaucratic violence today: an interview with Josh Bornstein | Emergency Exit Bonus 1
Q: Why are you uncomfortable with the concept of bureaucratic violence?
Bornstein argues that the term can obscure the political decisions that drive refugee mistreatment. He acknowledges that bureaucrats can act improperly, but says politicians set the direction and bear responsibility; he also cautions against using the word violence too loosely.
Bureaucratic violence today: an interview with Josh Bornstein | Emergency Exit Bonus 1
Q: How should people who look to the law for justice maintain their optimism, and how do you retain your optimism?
Bornstein says the legal system is imperfect and powerful corporations can exert influence, but it can still deliver redress. He points to successful cases for workers and unions, particularly the Transport Workers Union's victory against Qantas.
Scholars at Risk | Emergency Exit Bonus 2
Q: Why is academic freedom different from free speech, and why does it need to be protected?
Quinn explains that free speech protects ideas and opinions, while academic freedom protects a professional process for developing and sharing reliable information. That process benefits society but can expose scholars to retaliation, so it comes with professional and ethical responsibilities.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Gender Skew
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Frequently Asked Questions About History Lab

What is History Lab about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Audiences are drawn to rigorous, archival-driven history with a clear focus on Australian contexts, often exploring colonialism, decolonisation, memory, and social movements. The episodes frequently pair historians with practitioners, artists, and activists to surface nuanced narratives and ethically engage with difficult histories. A standout aspect is its hands-on, community-connected approach—featuring oral histories, local archives, and collaborations that bring First Nations voices and marginal histories into public scholarship. This makes it a strong fit for listeners who value meticulous research, interdisciplinary methods, and accessible storytelling around complex themes like decolonisation, memory, and cultural rights, as well as ... more

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Which podcasts are similar to History Lab?

These podcasts share a similar audience with History Lab:

1. ABC Rewind
2. Full Story
3. If You're Listening
4. The Dead Can't Sue
5. The Morning Edition

How many episodes of History Lab are there?

History Lab launched 9 years ago and published 72 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on History Lab?

Recent guests on History Lab include:

1. Nadia Wheatley
2. Linda Jaivin
3. Robert Quinn
4. Josh Bornstein
5. Ilmar Tammelo
6. Otto Bondy
7. Julius Stone
8. Katherine Biber

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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