The British Commission for Maritime History (BCMH) is a UK-based organization that supports the research, teaching, and promotion of maritime history. With roots in academic and museum communities, it fosters interdisciplinary collaboration and nurtures emerging scholars in the field.
Founded in 1991, the BCMH emerged from a shared desire among British maritime historians to establish a national body that could coordinate historical study across institutions. It was closely linked to the National Maritime Museum and to universities with strong naval and maritime history traditions. Since then, it has grown into a key player in British historical research with international influence.
The BCMH supports maritime history through:
• Organizing conferences, public lectures, and educational events
• Coordinating the King’s Seminar in Maritime History (with King's College London)
• Supporting postgraduate students with the BCMH New Researchers in Maritime History Conference
• Encouraging dialogue between academics, museum professionals, and independent researchers
It provides both scholarly depth and public outreach – keeping maritime history relevant across generations.
The BCMH ensures that maritime history remains vibrant in British academic and public life. Through its research support and wide-ranging events, it helps protect the UK's maritime legacy while also preparing future historians to tell new stories about the sea.
Its conferences are an entry point for many young scholars into the world of maritime research.
The BCMH helped shape the curriculum of several British universities’ maritime history programs and regularly partners with the UK’s leading naval and maritime museums.
1. How can historical commissions support younger generations in exploring maritime heritage?
2. What role does national maritime history play in shaping a country's identity today?
