In this engaging Q&A, Ben Nilson—Head of the Department of History and Sociology at UBCO—reflects on a lifelong fascination with the past that began with two childhood books gifted by a great uncle. From an early passion for medieval history to a career shaped by curiosity and connection, he shares insights into his educational journey, teaching philosophy, and research on medieval miracle stories.
Can you tell us a bit about your educational journey? How did you come to pursue the field you are in? What led you to come to UBCO?
My brother and I were given two books by a great uncle (who, incidentally, was a friend of Henry Houdini) – children’s versions of a History of England and the Tales of King Arthur. I still remember the first-rate illustrations of both. I also might have become an astronomer, but it was medieval history that hooked me.
I came to Kelowna because my sister was working here and I learned about the job at UBCO. That was back in the olden times when there was still hope in the world.
Can you talk about your current role(s) at UBCO? What do you find enjoyable about them and what do you find challenging?
I am currently head of the Department of History and Sociology. The best part of that is interacting with our faculty members who are some pretty good eggs.
Can you describe your teaching philosophy?
History is about humans doing interesting stuff, and if you are a human you are likely to find that interesting. As a social historian, I try to help students see history as the actions of people who are different from us, but still relatable. The more we learn about their historical context the more we can understand about them, why they did what they did, and about ourselves.
What are your research interests and what do you hope to gain/solve/better understand from your research? What research projects have been most meaningful to you?
My main research uses medieval miracle stories to learn about many different aspects of medieval English society. I am currently working on an article about madness in the Middle Ages via stories of people being miraculously cured of it. These also tell us about how people looked after members of their family, their neighbors, and how they thought the mind worked. It turns out they were actually quite caring towards their fellow citizens going through a crisis and did their best to help.
Recently I had a unique opportunity to use my research skill locally (which is very rare for a medievalist!). It turns out the museum at Fintry (yes, that Fintry across the lake from us) has a few medieval manuscripts. A former student of ours, Cole Folk, was working as a guide there and noticed them. He first contacted François Gauthier, our Latinist, who passed them on to me. Together with Ruth Frost, we transliterated and translated the manuscripts, the earliest of which was a charter from 1276. It is effectively a land deed, transferring much of an estate in Hampstead, now the most expensive part of London but then a rather small village a long walk away from the city, to a son. The man would eventually be knighted, but was not a knight at the time (just rich). I wish the deed was granting the land to me, because I could sell the land and buy Kelowna with the proceeds. It was a real treat to work with locals, especially the Fintry curator Dan Bruce.
What is the main thing you hope your students will take away from your classes?
That the past is complicated but it can be understood, and that it is important to understand it in its complexity.
What are some of your most memorable teaching moments?
Running intense roleplaying games in which students reran some important historical events. When students got into them it was truly magical.
What is your proudest professional accomplishment?
My book Cathedral Shrines of Medieval England.
Where do you see yourself in 5-10 years?
Retired!
Can you tell us something (hobbies, interests etc.) that your colleagues may not know about you?
Cooking, woodwork, tabletop roleplaying games.