The Fiji National University’s Associate Professor in History and the Acting Director for Centre of Graduate Studies, Dr Mumtaz Alam has been elected a Fellow of the prestigious Royal Historical Society (RHS).

The RHS, known for its commitment to fostering historical research and supporting historians at all career stages, continues to be a leading forum for the discipline.

Dr Alam’s election as a Fellow recognises his past achievements and positions him to make significant contributions to the Society’s mission of advancing historical scholarship.

As a Fellow, Dr Alam will have the opportunity to actively participate in shaping the future of historical studies in the United Kingdom.

His new role grants him voting rights in Council elections and eligibility to seek election to the RHS Council, and he can also apply for positions on the editorial boards of various RHS publications, contributing to disseminating historical knowledge.

The President of the RHS, Professor Emma Griffin welcomed Dr Alam to the fellowship, emphasising the Society’s role as a champion of history both within academia and broader culture.

Dr Alam said he was deeply honoured and proud to have reached a significant academic milestone with his election as a Fellow of the RHS.

“This award links me to a larger group of historians who share my deep dedication to expanding our understanding of the past and honours all my hard work in the field of historical studies as a teacher and researcher,” he said.

“Being named a Fellow of the RHS is an honour, as the organisation has been a leader in funding historical research for many years.

“The chance to network with other historians, do important work in conserving and expanding our understanding of the past, and make a lasting impact on the field is what makes this fellowship so appealing.

“When we look at society through the prism of its past, historians do more than merely study it; we actively participate in shaping that understanding.”

He said this fellowship would enable him to collaborate with some of the brightest minds in the profession to further the cause.