The Jim Shields and Bob Unwin Bursaries
We are excited to introduce the ‘Jim and Bob’ Bursaries for Early Career and trainee teachers, generously funded by Ian and Pat Dawson. These bursaries commemorate the contributions of two contrasting but equally inspirational history educators. Jim Shields was an outstanding classroom teacher throughout his career in Liverpool where Ian had the good fortune to have him as his teacher for O-level and A-level history. Bob Unwin was a leading figure nationally in history teaching, a much-respected author, workshop leader, historian and innovator for over 30 years and Ian’s history PGCE tutor at Leeds University.
The bursaries will cover a two-day ticket for HA Conference 2026, plus a contribution towards accommodation and travel to support two early career or beginning teachers to attend the conference. Applications are invited from history teachers who are:
- in training or at Early Career level
- who have not previously attended an HA Conference
- in either primary or secondary state funded schools of any type/designation
- training or teaching in the historic counties of Lancashire and Yorkshire
To apply for a bursary funded place, please first ensure that you meet the eligibility criteria above.
Applicants should supply up to 300 words explaining how they hope attendance will contribute to the development of their teaching and to the benefit of their students – and how the conference provides opportunities otherwise unavailable to them.
Applications must be made by 13 March 2026 and will be considered by a panel whose decision is final. Successful applicants will be informed by early April.
The successful bursary holders would be expected to:
- attend both days of the conference
- write a short article or report of up to 300 words on what they have found the most valuable aspects of the conference and what they hope to build on to benefit their students. This must be submitted within one month of attendance at the conference.
Applications can be submitted here: HA Conference 2026: Bursary applications
Our thanks to Ian and Pat Dawson for giving new teachers this valuable opportunity. Read Ian Dawson's tribute piece to Jim and Bob on ThinkingHistory
Jim Shields
Bob Unwin
HA Conference 2026 access bursaries
We are delighted to announce three new bursaries to fund travel and accommodation expenses for first-time attendees at HA Conference, thanks to a generous donation from an anonymous benefactor.
We know that budgets for professional development are tight and, with travel and accommodation prices increasingly high, it can be difficult for schools to fund the extras that come with conference attendance. These bursaries will cover travel and accommodation expenses of up to £300 for successful applicants, while also ensuring that you can attend at the discounted concessionary Early Bird attendance rate.
Applications are invited from UK history teachers who are:
a. currently in their first five years of teaching
b. who have not previously attended an HA Conference
c. in either secondary or primary state-funded schools of any type/designation
Priority will be given to teachers based in Lincolnshire, though the bursaries are open to teachers across the UK.
Apply for a bursary
To apply, please first ensure that you meet the eligibility criteria above.
Applicants should supply up to 300 words explaining how they hope attendance will contribute to the development of their teaching and to the benefit of their students – and how the conference provides opportunities otherwise unavailable to them.
Applications must be made by 20 April 2026 and will be considered by a panel whose decision is final.
Successful applicants will be informed by the end of April. The successful bursary holders would be expected to:
a. attend both days of the conference
b. book their own travel and accommodation, and submit an expenses form for their expenses to be reimbursed
c. write a short article or report of up to 300 words on what they have found the most valuable aspects of the conference and what they hope to build on to benefit their students. This must be submitted within one month of attendance at the conference.
Applications can be submitted here.
Thank you to our anonymous donor for giving early career teachers this valuable opportunity to access subject-specific professional development.
