It’s been a while since the MLC blog published one of our graduate profiles, so today we catch up with Louise Clare, who graduated from Liverpool in 2013 and 2014.
I graduated from the University of Liverpool in 2013 with a BA Honours Degree in History and Modern Language Studies, specializing in Spanish. I followed this up with an MA in Twentieth Century History, also at the University of Liverpool, which I completed in 2014. Deciding to gain some teaching experience, I then obtained a PGCE in Secondary History from the University of Chester.
Part of my BA dissertation focused on Margaret Thatcher’s role in the ending of the Cold War, leading to me becoming more interested in her premierships and so, for my MA dissertation, I investigated the motivations and reactions of the powers involved in the Falklands War; this involved me assessing both English and Spanish language sources.
Whilst carrying out research for my MA dissertation, I noticed a gap in the research, and not only had little analysis been conducted of Spanish language sources by historians, thus leading to imbalance, but there had been very little or no examination of the influence of the media on the decisions made. I also noticed how the differing cultural backdrops influenced the parties involved, and often at times led to fatal misunderstandings.
I am currently a Ph.D History candidate at the University of Manchester and my thesis title is: ‘Transnational and cultural comparisons of those involved in the Falklands War’. My thesis investigates the media reporting, impact and lasting influence of the Falklands/Malvinas conflict in 1982 between the UK and Argentina, and the influence of the differing national cultures.
Studying Spanish at Liverpool enabled me to examine both English and Spanish language sources for my MA research and, most recently, it has provided me with the opportunity to offer an interdisciplinary approach for my Ph.D research, which involves analysing English and Spanish language print and televised media during the Falklands/Malvinas War. Studying Spanish also helped me to expand my knowledge of Hispanic culture and history, which is also integral to my thesis.