Are there any subjects or topics that are especially fashionable in your academic circles just now? Is there a question over which people are choosing sides and fighting like cats and dogs? Has some new evidence recently surfaced, or are you perhaps especially looking forward to the publication of some new find/book/article in the coming year?
I'm an Irish history undergraduate, and the most prevalent topic that will be covered this year will be the 1916 Rising, by a long shot. This is because of the fact that it will be the centenary, and the effects of the 1916 Rising can still be felt in Ireland, to this day. I'm happy that a historical topic will be debated by the public, and not just by people studying history. On the other hand, the 1916 Rising is a very, very contentious matter, and I fear that differences on it might lead to some sort of dissent between different groups. I hope that we can have an educated, peaceful debate, which puts the limelight on opinions from all sides.