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Peter McPhee

Emeritus professor, University of Melbourne

Emeritus Professor Peter McPhee teaches and writes about the history of modern France at the University of Melbourne.

Professor McPhee was educated at Colac High School, Caulfield Grammar School, and the University of Melbourne, where he completed a BA (Hons 1st Class), Dip.Ed., MA (Hons 1st Class) and PhD. He taught at La Trobe University 1975-79 and the Victoria University of Wellington 1980-86 before returning to the University of Melbourne, where he has held a Personal Chair in History since 1993.

He has published widely on the history of modern France, notably A Social History of France 1789-1914 (London, 2002), Revolution and Environment in Southern France, 1780-1830 (Oxford, 1999), and Living The French Revolution 1789-1799 (Basingstoke, 2006). In 1999 he also published a biography of the former Chancellor Roy Douglas ('Pansy') Wright. His most recent books are Robespierre: a Revolutionary Life (2012) and (ed), A Companion to the French Revolution (2013).

Professor McPhee was Deputy Dean and Acting Dean of the School of Graduate Studies in 1994-96, then Head of the Department of History in 1996-99. He was elected a Fellow of the Australian Academy of the Humanities in 1997. In the same year he became an inaugural 'Universitas 21' Teaching Fellow. In 2003 he was elected a Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences. He was an Officer of the Academic Board 1999-2003 and its President in 2002-03. He became Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) in 2003 before being apointed the University's first Provost in 2007. He retired in 2009, but remains an active researcher and teacher. He was made a Member of the Order of Australia in 2012.

Global Geopolitics Series

We live in a world of upheaval. So why aren't today's protests leading to revolutions?

Nov 24, 2019 22:15 pm UTC| Insights & Views Politics

We live in a world of violent challenges to the status quo, from Chile and Iraq to Hong Kong, Catalonia and the Extinction Rebellion. These protests are usually presented in the media simply as expressions of rage at the...

video What is it about Versailles?

Dec 09, 2016 03:55 am UTC| Life

When the triumphant Donald Trump welcomed Nigel Farage to his $100 million penthouse apartment in Trump Tower on 13 November, the two posed in his lift of gleaming gold. Trumps hyper-bling apartment is his Versailles...

Economy

Global Energy Crisis: Iran Conflict Triggers Record Oil Supply Shock

The ongoing U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran has triggered an unprecedented global energy crisis, marked by the largest daily oil supply disruption in history. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has significantly reduced...

U.S. Freezes Dollar Transfers to Iraq, Pressures Government Over Iran-Backed Militias

The United States has reportedly halted U.S. dollar shipments to Iraq and paused key security cooperation programs as part of a broader effort to pressure Baghdad into addressing the influence of Iran-backed militias...

Asian Stocks Mixed as Tech Shares Decline While Japan’s Nikkei Hits Record High

Asian stock markets showed mixed performance on Wednesday as technology stocks weakened, reflecting overnight losses on Wall Street, while Japans benchmark Nikkei 225 reached a new record high. Investors remained cautious...

Japan Exports Surge for Seventh Month as AI Demand Offsets Middle East Trade Disruptions

Japans exports extended their growth streak for a seventh consecutive month in March, driven largely by strong global demand linked to artificial intelligence (AI) and data center expansion. According to government data,...

Oil Prices Slip Amid Iran Ceasefire Extension, Hormuz Disruptions Keep Markets Tense

Oil prices edged lower during volatile Asian trading on Wednesday as U.S. President Donald Trump announced an indefinite extension of the ceasefire with Iran. While the move raised hopes for continued peace talks, ongoing...

Politics

Syrian Asylum Rejections Rise in Europe as Minority Safety Concerns Persist

A growing number of Syrian asylum seekers are facing rejection across Europe despite ongoing security concerns, particularly among minority groups. After the fall of former President Bashar al-Assad and the end of Syrias...

Virginia Redistricting Vote Boosts Democrats Ahead of Midterm Elections

Virginia voters approved a new Democratic-backed congressional map on Tuesday, a decision that could significantly reshape the balance of power in the U.S. House of Representatives ahead of the upcoming midterm elections....

Trump Administration Files Fraud Charges Against Southern Poverty Law Center Over Informant Payments

The Trump administration has filed criminal charges against the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), a prominent civil rights organization known for tracking extremist groups, accusing it of defrauding donors through its...

Global Military Talks in London Aim to Reopen Strait of Hormuz and Protect Shipping

Military planners representing more than 30 countries are gathering in London for two days of high-level discussions focused on reopening the Strait of Hormuz and strengthening maritime security in one of the worlds most...

Canada-USMCA Review 2026: No Collapse Expected Despite July 1 Deadline

Canadas top trade negotiator to the United States, Janice Charette, has signaled that the upcoming July 1 deadline for reviewing the USMCA trade agreement should not be viewed as a breaking point for North American trade...

Science

China vs. NASA: The New Moon Race and What's at Stake by 2030

The space race is back and this time, its a direct competition between the United States and China for dominance on the lunar surface. NASAs Artemis II mission recently made history when four astronauts flew farther into...

NASA Artemis II: First Crewed Moon Mission Since Apollo Takes Four Astronauts on 10-Day Lunar Journey

NASAs Artemis II mission launched Wednesday, marking humanitys return to crewed lunar exploration for the first time since the Apollo era. Carrying four astronauts aboard the Orion spacecraft, this historic 10-day mission...

NASA's Artemis II Mission: First Crewed Lunar Journey Since Apollo

NASA's Artemis II Crew Arrives in Florida for Historic Moon Mission

The four astronauts chosen for NASAs Artemis II mission have touched down at Kennedy Space Center in Florida, marking the beginning of final launch preparations for the first crewed lunar journey in over 50 years. NASA...

SpaceX Pivots Toward Moon City as Musk Reframes Long-Term Space Vision

SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has revealed a significant shift in the companys near-term space exploration strategy, announcing that SpaceX is now prioritizing the development of a self-growing city on the Moon rather than focusing...

Technology

SK Hynix to Invest $13 Billion in AI Chip Packaging Facility

South Koreas SK Hynix is accelerating its push into the artificial intelligence semiconductor market with a major new investment aimed at strengthening its global competitiveness. The company announced plans to invest...

Nvidia Pushes 800V Data Center Power Systems to Boost Efficiency and Cut Costs

NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ: NVDA) is reportedly exploring next-generation data center power solutions by engaging major South Korean power equipment manufacturers to develop higher-voltage infrastructure. According to The...

LG Innotek Stock Hits Record High on $68M Automotive Wi-Fi 7 Deal

LG Innotek shares surged to an all-time high on Wednesday, fueled by strong investor confidence following the companys latest automotive supply agreement with a European partner. The Seoul-listed stock (KS:011070) climbed...

Samsung Boosts DRAM Supply to Tesla as AI-Driven Memory Demand Surges

Samsung Electronics Co Ltd (KS:005930) has significantly increased its monthly DRAM shipments to Tesla Inc (NASDAQ:TSLA), reflecting the growing demand for advanced memory solutions in electric vehicles and artificial...

SpaceX Eyes $60B Cursor Deal to Boost AI Power Ahead of IPO

Elon Musks SpaceX has announced plans to collaborate with AI coding startup Cursor, with the option to acquire the company later this year in a deal valued at $60 billion. The aerospace giant also revealed an alternative...