Martin Farr teaches modern and contemporary British history at Newcastle University. With degrees in politics and history, he is particularly interested the applications of contemporary history: the history of the present.

He publishes widely, including books and articles on the First and Second world wars, British politics, political parties, elections, the media, the US-UK special relationship, foreign and defence policy, popular culture, the 1960s, Margaret Thatcher, Brexit, and tourism. He has extensive media experience, both national and international, print and broadcast, as a commentator on current affairs.

He is unusually public-facing in his professional life, being centrally involved in student recruitment, outreach, widening participation, and public engagement activities. For over ten years he has hosted the university's Insights Public Lecture series, twice weekly, with an annual audience of over 12,000 people. He regularly gives public lectures and talks, as invited, all around the United Kingdom and the United States, and often speaks at schools and colleges.

Born and raised in north London, he proceeded via secondary education in Hertfordshire, undergraduate study at Exeter University, doctoral research at Glasgow University, and varied short-term teaching contracts in and around London, before arriving at Newcastle in 2000.

He can offer enrichment talks on a wide variety of subjects relating to British history and Britain's foreign relations since the First World War, and on any aspects of current affairs, including the Monarchy, the changing nature of the British state and society, the potential 'break-up' of Britain, and 'Global Britain'. They be freestanding lectures or series of related talks.

To be provided.

I've had two trans-Atlantic cruises with Cunard. I gave seven lectures (five on the Special Relationship, one on Margaret Thatcher, and one on Brexit). Both were amazing experiences, and I was overwhelmed by the sizes of my audiences and by their appreciation.

I have cruises with Viking confirmed for 2024. Very happy to accept bookings outside of univerity term-times

I have lectured professionally for over twenty years, and have extensive experience of speaking to large and small audiences, using striking visual images, always speaking to time, and performing without notes. I particularly enjoy engaging with audiences before and after engagements, and I find such enthusiasm and engagement is always very well-received.