The Joyce Youings Memorial Lecture 2025-6: Professor Jane Whittle

Jane Whittle is Professor of Economic and Social History at the University of Exeter, with expertise in the history of work and gender in preindustrial Europe. Her research explores work/labour, gender, economic development, household economies, material culture and consumption, c.1300-1750 (late medieval and early modern).

Jane Whittle held a European Research Council Advanced Grant ‘FORMSofLABOUR’ 2019-24, presented the Economic History Society's annual Tawney Lecture in 2023, is a Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences, and a former chair of the British Agricultural History Society.

Her research is characterised by the combination of archival work using manuscript documents and attention to social-science theory. She makes intensive use of a wide range of historical documents analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively, addressing interdisciplinary debates such as the gendering of work and women’s role in the economy, economic development, and meanings of consumption and material culture. Although her archival research uses English sources, it is placed in the comparative context of Western Europe, and informed by comparisons with other societies and economies.

The Joyce Youings Memorial Lecture

The University of Exeter's Centre for Early Modern Studies organises the Joyce Youings Memorial Lecture in early modern History. The lecture commemorates Professor Joyce Youings, formerly head of History at Exeter, the first female professor at the institution, and a distinguished historian of early modern Britain, who died in 2011. The lecture is an annual event, and is generously funded by Professor Youing’s nephew, Mr Peter Youings.

Practicalities

This is a free public lecture and all are welcome to attend. The venue is Streatham Court, Lecture Theatre C, and the lecture will also be streamed online via Teams.

Campus maps and information about travel and parking can be found on this webpage.

Please note that visitor parking on campus is very limited - visitors must pay to use car park C.

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