Centre for Port and Maritime History 30th Anniversary Conference, Liverpool
10 & 11 September 2026
Call for Papers
The Centre for Port and Maritime History (CPMH) encourages submissions for its 2026 annual conference. 2026 marks the 30th anniversary of the founding of CPMH by the University of Liverpool and Liverpool’s Maritime Museum – a joint venture that today also includes Liverpool John Moores University.
There is no dedicated theme or chronological limit for this year’s conference. But we encourage submissions from researchers – at all levels of their careers – which present cutting-edge research and/or address current issues and challenges in the study of port and maritime history. Papers which reflect upon historiographical developments in port and maritime history over the past thirty years would be especially welcome as would interdisciplinary approaches including artistic interventions and representations. Where groups of researchers are working on particular themes in port and maritime history, we also welcome proposals for panels (of minimum 3 papers).
CPMH has a well-established reputation as a supportive and collegial arena for postgraduate and early-career submissions and presentations, and we welcome submissions from independent scholars. Previous CPMH conferences have led to publication in the Centre’s Liverpool University Press Book Series, which we would be keen to explore if suitable content emerges from the 2026 submissions.
We also welcome proposals for presentations in alternative formats to traditional academic papers (e.g. exhibitions, videos, artistic pieces) – please discuss your ideas with the Conference Organisers, Dr Andy Davies and Prof Nick White, who can advise about what is possible.
There is a Conference Registration Fee £30 to cover Conference Catering for waged/funded conference attendees, with a reduced rate of £5 for unwaged or unfunded attendees. The Conference will allow for remote/hybrid presentation, but to foster a collegial and supportive atmosphere, as well as provide the best opportunity for discussion and networking, we encourage and recommend in-person attendance in Liverpool – especially as there are celebratory social events planned for this year’s anniversary conference.
The best abstract and presentation by a postgraduate student will receive the Mike Stammers Memorial Prize, entitling them to a small monetary award.
Please submit an abstract to Dr Andy Davies and/or Prof Nick White (addavies@liverpool.ac.uk; n.j.white@ljmu.ac.uk ) by 15 May 2026.
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