Professor Emily Robinson, whose research explores how the past is understood and retold, has won The Conversation Prize for Writers 2026 for her work on the strange afterlife of a medieval island swallowed by the sea.
As part of her research at the University of Sussex, Professor Robinson has been exploring the story of Ravenser Odd, which emerged at the mouth of the Humber in the early 13th century and developed rapidly into a wealthy royal borough. But within around 130 years, storms had reclaimed the island and the settlement disappeared beneath the water.
Professor Robinson said: “As a historian of memory, I’m always fascinated by how we think about the past. But there is something about this story that is especially gripping. Everyone I speak to has the same reaction. I want to know why that is. What makes some histories resonate so strongly? And what does that tell us about ourselves?”
Her winning entry was selected from submissions of a 2,000-word article and book pitch. The prize includes mentoring to develop a nonfiction book proposal for a general audience.
Executive Dean of Social Sciences, Professor Rosie Cox said: "I'm delighted for Emily. Her work on Ravenser Odd shows how historical research can capture the public imagination and invite us to think differently about how we remember the past. This is a wonderful recognition of her ability to communicate complex ideas to a wide audience, and I look forward to seeing the book that comes from it."
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