Changing Direction

The Department of History would like to express its gratitude to Dr. Jeff A. Webb for his dedicated service as head. Dr. Webb, a Memorial University BA and MA History graduate, has shown his commitment to the well-being of the members of the Department throughout his tenure. This was not an easy time, as our institution has been facing fiscal and administrative challenges of all sorts for many years. The Department has nonetheless seen many positive developments in the last few years. It has expanded by welcoming two new members. It has been home to a new contract instructor. The seminar room has been renovated with new equipment. The Department has maintained its programs despite significant reductions in resources.

Jeff Webb is a well-known historian of twentieth-century Newfoundland and Labrador who has studied the politics leading to Confederation as well as scholarship and art in this province, with special interests in the history of media and culture. In addition to scholarly publications, he is often invited to share his knowledge with various audiences in discussion panels ( https://www.mun.ca/100/events-and-projects/living-memorial/) or public events at The Rooms (https://gazette.mun.ca/public-engagement/passion-and-the-past/).

Leading the Department has not prevented Dr. Webb from pursuing his research agenda. A prolific researcher, he has over the course of his career published three research monographs and directed a documentary film (https://www.mun.ca/hss/film/news-articles/the-fogo-process-revisited.php). His latest book, The Cause of Art: Professionalizing the Art Gallery of Newfoundland and Labrador, investigates the history of Memorial’s Art Gallery, pieces of which decorate the walls in various parts of campus. The result of many years of archival and oral history research, this book has been published in 2024 and has been awarded the 2025 Peter Cashin Prize." In her review, Joan Sullivan noted that Webb “always contextualizes the goings-on in N.L. with actions and ways of thinking in Canada and the wider world” (The Telegram, 27 September 2024).

The Department wishes Jeff Webb all the best in his current and future projects.