Biography
Duncan has a multi-disciplinary background based upon research and teaching in History, Criminology, and Education. He began his academic career at Aberystwyth University studying European History during his undergraduate degree, and focusing on Early Modern British History for his MA.
Following the completion of his MA in 2012, he took a position as a researcher for an international development charity based in Honduras. During his time in Latin America, he produced research examining the origins and prevalence of gender based crime in rural communities in southern Honduras. Following two years of employment in International Development, he returned to academia.
After being granted a full PhD scholarship at the University of Birmingham, Duncan’s thesis focused on the historical links between politics and industry in the West Midlands – during the age of the Atlantic Revolutions. Whilst studying at the University of Birmingham he was appointed as a Teaching Fellow in History and Education, specialising in the Early Modern Atlantic World, the history of Honduras, and decolonizing the British education system.
Following the completion of his PhD, Duncan moved to Newman University to work as a lecturer in History and Applied Humanities – and became co-programme lead of History in January 2023. He has since completed his Post Graduate Certificate in Higher Education and become a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (Advance HE). He also works as a reviewer for the Journal of Eighteenth Century Studies and is turning his PhD into a book.
Profile
Research interests
Duncan’s research interests include;
- The History of Honduras
- Gender based violence in Latin America
- The Political and Industrial History of the West Midlands
- Eighteenth Century Print Culture
- The Atlantic Revolutions
- The History of Education in Britain
- The British Empire
- Colonialism, Post-Colonialism, and Decolonizing the British curriculum
Teaching
At the University of Birmingham, and Birmingham City University, Duncan has taught on a wide range of modules, covering topics such as:
- The British Empire
- The Industrial and Political History of Birmingham
- The History of Education in Britain
- Eurasian Medieval History
- The Reformation
- Revolutions and Rebellions in Early Modern Europe
- War Studies
- Historiographical Approaches and Techniques
- Introduction to British History for Erasmus students
- Transnational and Corporate Crime
- Gender Based Violence
At Newman he is teaching on the History and Applied Humanities courses, focusing on the following topics;
- Employability skills
- Education in Britain
- Gender Based Violence in Honduras
- The Role of Liverpool Football Club and the Scouse Identity
- Indian Independence
- The Atlantic Revolutions – with a focus on Haiti, France and
- Ireland
- Slavery
- Classism in England
Administrative Responsibilities
As programme lead of History Duncan over sees all administrative aspects of the course. – including module design and delivery, marking, moderating, progress panels, mitigating circumstance forms, as well as pastoral advice and directing students to appropriate student services.
On Applied Humanities Duncan has also contributed to validation and re-validation.
Membership of Professional Organisations
Higher Education Academy
Journal For Eighteenth Century Studies
Other Activities
Conferences and Other Research Activity
‘That Nefarious Newspaper, The Dublin Evening Post (1789-1794),‘ Print and the Provincial Press Conference, Birmingham City University (June 2016).
‘Birmingham Brass, Politics and Industry,‘ West Midlands History Conference (July 2018).
‘Birmingham Brass Founders During the Age of Revolution,’ Midlands and Empire in the Long Eighteenth Century and Today Conference (October 2022).
Publications
Books
Birmingham Brass Makers: Cut-throat Capitalism in the Industrial Revolution; a book has been commissioned by West Midlands History to be printed in 2022 based on his PhD thesis – exploring the links between politics and industry in eighteenth century Birmingham. Podcast available: https://historywm.com/podcasts/birmingham-brass-makers-cut-throat-capitalism-in-the-industrial-revolution.
Edited Books
Frankis, ‘The 1823 Judgement of Death Act,’ in 50 Facts Everyone Should Know About Crime and Punishment in Britain, eds., Professor James Treadwell and Dr. Adam Lynes (Policy Press: Bristol, 2019); a historical context chapter included in a compulsory textbook for first year criminology students at Birmingham City University.
Frankis, ‘That Nefarious Newspaper: The Dublin Evening Post, 1789-1794’ in Print, Politics, and the Provincial Press in Modern Britain, eds. Dr. Ian Cawood and Dr. Lisa Peters (Peter Lang Publishing: Oxford, 2019); a chapter exploring and analysing the coverage of revolutions occurring in the late-eighteenth century Atlantic World through a case study of a popular Dublin-based newspaper.
Frankis and S. Patel-Nascimento, ‘Rio De Janeiro,’ Dark Destinations, A Criminological Analysis of Contemporary Tourism, eds. Dr. Adam Lynes, Craig Kelly, and Professor James Treadwell (The Bristol University Press, University of Bristol, 2021); an outline of the unsettling trend of wealthy European and American tourists voyeuristic tendencies when visiting Rio De Janeiro, and participating in Favela tours and parties.
Reports
Frankis and R. Higgins A Profile of Domestic and Intrafamily Violence in Five of the Most Affected Municipalities in the Department of La Paz, Honduras (Marcala, 2013); a research project funded by the International Citizenship Service for the charity, Progressio, as well as the women’s rights cooperative, Cooperativa Mixta Unidas Para Progresar Ltd. It outlines the extent and severity of gender-based crime and femicide in rural Honduras.
D. Frankis, Access to Birmingham: Barriers to Academic Success (March 2020); a research report commissioned by the College of Art and Law, through AHRC funding, into the experience of Access to Birmingham students at the University of Birmingham.