The North East Labour History Society has launched an essay competition for research into labour history in the North East of England.

The Sir Chaplin Labour History Award is awarded to the best essay submitted on any aspect of the history of labour in the North East.

The competition, which includes a £100 book token and publication of the winning essay in the journal North East History, is open to anyone who is not currently employed full-time as a professional teacher or historian.

Recipients of the award will also receive a miner’s lamp trophy, with the name of each winner inscribed upon it. Winners may keep the trophy for one year.

The essay should be no more than 10,000 words in length.

For further information.

All entries must be submitted to the Society’s Secretary, David Connolly, no later than 30 June 2026.