Dr. Hattie Hearn

Dr. Hattie Hearn

Curator & Historian | Imperial War Museum
United Kingdom

Dr. Hattie Hearn is a museum curator, researcher and writer based in Norwich, United Kingdom. With a lifelong fascination for history, she specializes in military heritage—particularly the social history of the Eighth US Army Air Force during the Second World War. Her doctoral research at the University of East Anglia explored daily life on USAAF bases in East Anglia, shedding light on the human stories behind the ‘Mighty Eighth.’ 

Over the past decade, Hattie has developed a rich and varied career across the heritage and research sectors, combining academic expertise with hands-on curatorial practice. Alongside her professional work, she contributes to the preservation and interpretation of wartime heritage as a volunteer at the 100th Bomb Group Memorial Museum at Thorpe Abbotts and as a member of the 8th Air Force Historical Society. 

Her research and writing reflect a commitment to making history accessible and engaging for all audiences. Currently, she is adapting her PhD thesis into a book that delves further into the experiences of the men and women who lived and worked on East Anglia’s wartime airfields. 

Outside her research, Hattie is passionate about developing inclusive and immersive exhibitions that connect the past with the present, encouraging new generations to explore their heritage. 

Dr. Hattie Hearn on Viking.TV (1)