The Editorial Board
Dear Reader,
It seems slightly odd to wish people a happy new year in March, but then again, this is the first issue of 2025 (and we’re all a bit weird around here) - so Happy New Year to you all and welcome to Issue 19 of EPOCH, Art and Architecture!
We’d like to start with some words of thanks. Our Chairperson and Medieval Editor, Ed Moore, is leaving the Editorial Board, but will continue on as our Medieval Editor as he shifts focus to the final stages of his PhD thesis. Ed has dedicated many years to EPOCH, but since October his work as Chair has ensured the smooth running of the magazine throughout a period of substantial behind-the-scenes change and he leaves with the best wishes of all here. Similarly, our Literature and Early Modern History Editor, Angelina Andreeva, is stepping down following the publication of this issue to shift her focus towards writing up her fascinating research. Like Ed, Angelina leaves with our warmest regards and gratitude for all her efforts during her time with the magazine.
Ed’s role is now under the care of International History Editor, Jude Rowley, and Social and Cultural History Editor, Alex Pomeroy, as joint Co-ordinating Editors. Meanwhile, the Editorial Board has been bolstered by the addition of one of our MA cohort, Aimée Wilkinson, as our new Classics and Gender Editor. We look forward to seeing some more of our Associate Editors taking on editorial roles in the coming weeks. It’s a busy time of year in Lancaster’s History Department, as several members of our PhD and MA community are well underway planning the 30th Lancaster Historical Postgraduate Conference (LHPC). EPOCH has a dedicated page on LHPC 2025 HERE, where you can find more information on the conference theme and dates, and submit your abstracts.
This issue’s theme of Art and Architecture has brought together a broad range of articles and reviews from exciting researchers across the world – there’s even an editorial piece on bus stations! As usual, we have tried to include articles on subjects that are a stone’s throw away from EPOCH HQ as well as those from every corner of the globe. From the Ancient Tombs of Southern Osaka to the delicate art of sugar sculptures via a detour of war memorials, brutalism, ‘orbs’ and the scientific art of dissection, we hope to have captured the essence of the never-ending historical intrigue located in the world around us. Other articles within Issue 19 explore the role of women in anti-slavery societies, trade networks in The Philippines, the unlikely connections between a rock concert and a medieval battlefield and an emotional family history of survival and loss during the Holocaust.
Thanks once again to each contributor for sharing such wonderful work with us; we look forward to hearing everyone’s opinions on Issue 19 across social media! Each issue of EPOCH is a labour of love, but the next is particularly special. Issue 20, out June 1st, 2025, will focus on the theme of ‘Power & Resistance’ and marks EPOCH’s 5th anniversary! We look forward to celebrating this milestone with our readers, but until then keep an eye out on our social media pages for more CFPs and all the latest news from EPOCH!
Sincerely,
The Editorial Board.