Social Media History Creator Wins Prestigious University Award 

A history student and social media creator from Cornwall has won a prestigious prize as part of his university degree.

Blake Mitchell, 21, from St Blazey, and studying History with Sociology at the University of Worcester, was awarded the Richard Shaw Memorial Prize at a ceremony celebrating academic excellence.

“I received the prize for my essay on the memoirs of Richard Baxter, and his account of the English Civil Wars,” explained Blake. “The essay explored what historians can learn from his later description of the events of 1641.”

Blake has amassed tens of thousands of followers with his channel: The Historical Frontier, sharing his love of history with the world.

Blake said he was honoured to receive the award. He said: “At secondary school I struggled academically and didn’t achieve the results I had hoped for, so I never imagined I would one day win a prize for my writing. To me, it symbolises the hard work I have put in since then and shows that it is possible to turn things around.”

Collecting his award, Blake has reflected on his university journey so far. “The best part has been the strong sense of community and the connections I have built with my fellow students and lecturers,” he said. “The welcoming and supportive atmosphere, particularly during lessons, has made my time at the university both enjoyable and rewarding.”

Blake said he chose Worcester because of the size of the city and the feel of the university: “Worcester felt like the ideal place for me to study. The city offers a great balance, being not too large nor too small, while still having plenty to offer. It’s also a welcoming and enjoyable place to live and the University offered both the course I wanted to study and the strong sense of community I was looking for.”

He said he hopes to keep combining his research with sharing history with a wider audience.

“This award will strengthen my future applications and has given me the confidence to aim higher in academia and projects outside of it,” he said.

Blake is studying at the University of the Year for Graduate Jobs 2027 in the Daily Mail University Guide, with judges describing a performance that ‘leaves many of the Russell Group in the shade’.

Academic prizes at the University are supported by generous philanthropists, including the University’s distinguished Honorary Fellows, local employers and many successful graduates of the University.

Professor Sally Moyle, Deputy Vice Chancellor, said: “Academic prizes show how hard a student has worked during their studies, and they’re a wonderful way to celebrate the individual achievements of students.

She added: “We’re incredibly proud of all of our prize winners, and we hope that receiving this award will not only recognise their dedication and commitment but also help them as they take the next steps in their careers and further studies.”