The Historical Association of South Africa (HASA) recently held an international conference to mark its sixtieth anniversary. The theme of the conference was 'Bridging the disciplinary divide: new routes to understanding South Africa's past'. The University of Pretoria's Department of Historical and Heritage Studies was very well represented by staff, postgraduate students and alumni. No less than a dozen research papers emanated from this cohort.

The following students presented on their postgraduate studies and ongoing research:

• Morgainne du Plessis presented a paper on Alan Paton and his American history.
• Sian Pretorius focussed on the relationship between non-fiction and the discipline of history.
• Alida Green analysed the significance of dance historiography.
• Charlene Herselman and Prof Karen Harris presented a joint paper on public history and film tourism.
• Baxter Tavuyanago considered Transfrontier parks in a historical perspective.

The following alumni presented on their postgraduate work and post-doctoral research.

• Bronwyn Strydom, currently a post-doctoral researcher at Unisa, focussed on black university histories.
• Cornelis Muller, a post-doctoral researcher at the Africa Research Centre at the University of the Free State (UFS), looked at policing in the ZAR.
• Eleanor Bron, currently enrolled for her doctorate at the Africa Research Centre at UFS, presented on her development of a creative methodology for the use of media for history.
• Nadine Moore, now a contract lecturer at Unisa, considered the interpretations of the Bantu Education Act.

The following staff also spoke at the event:

• Prof Karen Harris, as president of HASA, presented a keynote address: 'Open House – HASA @60'.
• Dr Thula Simpson focussed on the debate about the origins of the ANC's armed struggle.
• Dr Glen Ncube considered colonial African patients and archives.

These papers reflect the very rich and diverse research being conducted by the Department of Historical and Heritage Studies.