Megan completed her PhD at the University of Kent, where her thesis explored the commemoration and care of First World War dead buried in the United Kingdom.
Her research interests include, but are not limited to:
- Death and bereavement practices and memory in 20th Century Britain, particularly in relation to war dead.
- The role of women in the two World Wars.
- The impact of remembrance, memorialisation and commemoration in Britain during the 20th Century.
Megan’s current research focuses primarily on the work of the Imperial War Graves Commission (IWGC, now the Commonwealth War Graves Commission – CWGC) in the United Kingdom. Across the United Kingdom, there are sites of memory for war dead; this can include graves, screen walls and privately erected war memorials. She finds it fascinating how these sites both conform to and contrast with the work of the IWGC/CWGC elsewhere in the world and how the public have interacted with these sites over the last 100 years.
Megan initially started writing on a blog whilst undertaking an internship in Belgium with the CWGC, hence why some posts may reference the commemorative work of the Commission more generally. The blog has since evolved this page into a place where she can talk about her research and provide a more focused study of UK-based commemoration of the First World War.
Megan welcomes opportunities to work collaboratively on projects, as well as advise on topics related to her research interests. She has media experience, and is happy to talk about her research in a variety of formats. Please do not hesitate to get in touch if you would like to work with her.
Dr Megan Kelleher 