I’m Rachel Dyer, a historian and doctoral researcher at the University of Chichester, where my work focuses on the complex and often-overlooked relationships between mothers, stepmothers, and daughters in the Tudor monarchy. My research examines how these women influenced — and were influenced by — the political, religious, and cultural upheavals of their time, with a particular focus on questions of power, identity, and legacy.

With a background that bridges both law and history — including a BA in History and Pre-Law from the University of Colorado Boulder, a JD from the University of Denver, and an MSc in History from the University of Edinburgh — I approach historical inquiry with a multidisciplinary lens and a deep commitment to uncovering nuance in narratives long considered settled.

Before moving to the U.K. in 2092, I graduated from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law with a Juris Doctorate. While in law school, I worked in domestic violence fatality prevention, immigration law, parental rights law, and museum acquisitions. Since joining the Bar in 2023, most of my legal work has consisted of contract disputes. I find a legal background is immensely helpful in people facing situations and understanding conflict and nuances from multiple angles.

In 2019 it became clear to me that history was not done with me. History was my calling. I moved to Edinburgh Scotland, in 2020 to attend the University of Edinburgh and gain a master’s in history. Upon completing my master’s degree, I moved to England with my husband, a Formula 1 engineer and began working as an international admissions officer at the University of Greenwich. This experience taught me more about the higher education system in the U.K. and abroad. It served to further motivate me in trying to make history and academia at large more consumable and desirable.

Soon it was obvious that I wanted to pursue a PhD. Not only to further my career in history but to follow my passion to the highest echelon of academic achievement. It is now clear to me that we just don’t teach history right. History is not a biased entity; it is not a propaganda machine, or a political platform, it is our human context. If we taught it in a way that was true to its form, context of human existence, how could people not find that fascinating? Enlightening? Inspiring? And informative?

I aim to bring historical scholarship into public conversation — demystifying academic research while honouring its depth. I have heard time and time again, “I just didn’t know you could make a career out of that!” or “I didn’t know that life was an option.” I want to show that a passion for learning and the subject that grabs your attention can very much shape your life. Whether through writing, public speaking, or digital content creation, I strive to make the past vivid, relevant, and resonant, especially when it comes to the lives of women whose voices history has too often ignored or misunderstood.

History, to me, is not merely a record of what has been — it is a lens through which we understand who we are. Furthermore, it is how we give a voice to those who have not had one, it is a way of honouring who we come from and preparing for where we are going. If you share that belief, I invite you to join me in exploring the stories that shaped our world.