Dr Elaine Murphy, Associate Professor of Maritime History has received a Research Fellowship valued at £55,434 from the Leverhulme Trust for her project Women and the Stuart navy: uncovering a hidden history.
Dr Murphy’s research focuses on the experiences of women who went to sea and did business with the Royal Navy during the 17th century. Their work and support, as contractors, employees, family and friends to sailors, was integral to keeping ships and sailors at sea. By uncovering and investigating the neglected stories and experiences of women and the navy, this project will make it possible to fully comprehend the importance of women in British and wider naval history. In particular it will seek to uncover the key role women played in the development of the Royal Navy and Britain as a sea power.
