Kelsey Norris

Biography

Kelsey is a PhD in History student and an Assistant Lecturer for HR242: Exploring History at the University of Essex. Her research is on men involved in the East Anglian witch trials, 1645-47, under supervision by Alison Rowlands. Her research examines different 'categories' of men involved in the trials as witchfinders, magistrates, critics, witches, etcetera, and how these men shaped and responded to one another, as well as how these men experienced their own and others' masculinities. Her research asks: How did men involved in the East Anglian witch trials compare and contrast with one another? How did these men influence and engage with one another? How far were their debates about witchcraft shaped by the ongoing religious and political conflict of the English Civil War? How were these men influenced by contemporary ideas of masculinity or masculinities and how did their masculinities in turn influence the periods witch trials? She has written a play based on her research, The Witchfinder, exploring the above concepts in the life of the witchfinder Matthew Hopkins. She found the process of converting academic concepts to a theatrical setting stimulating and that staging The Witchfinder has helped her develop her understanding of the historical figures. She has a MA in History from University College London and BAs in History and Mass Communications from the University of South Carolina. She has volunteered in conservation with the National Trust and curation with the Islington Museum.

Qualifications

• MA in History University College London (2022)

• BA in History University of South Carolina (2021)

• BA in Mass Communications University of South Carolina (2021)

Thesis