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The Laughton Unit educates and researches in the field of naval history and maritime strategy to support and shape the evolution of naval history as a tool across a broad spectrum of disciplines and debates in the world around us. The Unit provides the ideal basis for original and challenging research on all aspects of naval history, sea power studies and strategy, preparing the next generation of thinkers from all around the world, ready and able, for a spectrum of career possibilities and destinations.

Under the guidance of the first Laughton Professor of naval history, the unit delivers researchers, scholars and thinkers whose output has impacted a broad spectrum of debates, organisations, governments, industries and armed services around the world.  These researchers as civilians or armed services personnel have reached out across a range of topics and fields with the scholarly skills and knowledge they have developed in the unit from Bachelor level through to Masters certification and Doctorates.

The Laughton chair of naval history is designed to continue permeance of naval history in British and global academia but also public life. Read more about the Laughton chair of naval history.

The unit continues to build an intellectual forum for the exchange of ideas across a global audience. By mastering the naval past, both in theory and practice, this provides the idea basis for furthering our knowledge of the past and comprehending the present and future.

To this end, our mission aims to:

  • The unit enshrines permeance for the field of naval history and maritime strategy in British academic and public life.
  • To understand the central role of naval history in understanding the past, and evolving thinking for present and future national and global challenges.
  • Supports the evolution of naval theory in military doctrine and defence policy while furthering debate on maritime strategy to enhance the knowledge of historians, decision makers and defence professionals globally.

It executes this by:

  • By recruiting the leading naval historians of the future by providing a rich and diverse approach to the subject that stretches beyond the disciplinary boundaries of history.
  • Explore avenues of research that enhance the subject in breadth, depth and context.
  • Establish and maintain an international research network for naval history linking British, European, American, Commonwealth and global institutions providing both academic and defence education.
  • Expanding the understanding of students as well as civilian and military professionals on the role of naval history in understanding the past, and evolving thinking for the present and future, melding naval and cultural perspectives on the sea as a strategic environment in world history.
  • Provide a central forum for intellectual exchange for ideas, theory and research.
  • The ‘Laughton-Corbett’ Research Fellow role provides the opportunity for a visiting or permeant research post by a postdoctoral or established academic scholar to be based in the School of Security Studies in which to focus on a research project that has applied history methodology at its core. The research has a naval history or maritime strategic element that advances either topic.
  • In partnership for the exchange of ideas, research, students, staff, PME and more with the Historical Section, United States Naval War College. 
  • Enable research to outreach to the widest possible audiences to engage in debates that the naval and maritime world influences.
  • Educate and enhance the scholarly and wider debates at both the individual and group levels through the dissemination of high quality research in the form of lectures, seminar, conference presentations, digital engagement, articles, literature and books.
  • Networks the unit and its research with other research networks, centres and forums including collaboration with universities such as Plymouth, Portsmouth, Liverpool, Cambridge and Oxford universities.
  • The Laughton Unit collaborates with the Centre for Grand Strategy and Sir Michael Howard Centre For the History of War.

People

Mark Bailey

Visiting Research Associate

Rachel Blackman-Rogers

Lecturer in Defence Studies

Senior Visiting Research Fellow, Laughton Naval History & Maritime Strategy Unit

Marcus Faulkner

Senior Lecturer in War Studies Education

Alan James

Reader in International History

Kunika Kakuta

PSRB Senior Quality Assurance Officer (MBBS)

Projects

Maritime Strategy
Maritime Strategy

Utilising the study of history; the development of concepts relating to the art, science and theory of war, the unit researches the theory and practice of maritime strategy.

    HMS Victory
    Naval History

    The unit provides the ideal basis for original and challenging research and projects on all aspects of naval history from classic period through to contemporary times.

      Corbett 100 Project
      Corbett 100

      Corbett 100 marks the centenary of the death of historian, philosopher of seapower and maritime strategist Sir Julian Corbett (1854-1922).

      Georgian papers
      Georgian Papers

      In partnership with the Royal Archives, King’s College London is undertaking a major project to digitise and interpret the archives of the Georgian papers held at Windsor Castle. The five-year programme, officially launched by Her Majesty the Queen on 1st April 2015, will digitise some 350,000 pages of original archives, including official and private papers of Britain's Hanoverian monarchs, as well as other members of the Royal Family, politicians, courtiers and the Privy Purse.

        First World War
        First World War at Sea

        Studying the First World War at sea is ongoing research at the unit. The Laughton unit marked the centenary of the First World War 1914-1918 [2014-2018] with series of events and lectures.

          Naval Wargaming logo
          Naval Wargaming Research

          Naval wargaming and research into it, alongside the broader study and practice of wargaming both for naval and maritime research, historical research and use as an educational tool. It regularly hosts wargames and lectures and works in partnership with the King’s Wargaming Network.

          Contemporary and Naval History
          Contemporary Naval History Research

          Contemporary naval history research advances and promotes historical research into post-1945 naval affairs and maritime strategy. It also includes preserving records and experiences after 1945, such as through oral history. By focusing on this period, it also facilitates this by networking researchers in the field from across the globe.

            Maritime Strategy and Space
            Maritime Strategy and Space

            Maritime Strategy and Space is Dr James WE Smith’s project exploring naval and maritime strategic concepts for space including the future of humanity in space.

            Activities

            Maritime History Seminars
            Maritime History Seminars

            Our long running series of lectures on maritime and naval history

            News

            New project will use maritime approach to advance space strategy

            A new project supported by the Laughton Unit in the School of Security Studies aims to use maritime strategy to advance understanding of the role of space in...

            James Smith Space Project

            U.S Naval War College hosts conference with King's on defence and security challenges

            Academics from the School of Security Studies in partnership with the U.S Naval War College and Australian Naval Institute, discussed historical questions,...

            Corbett 100

            Events

            22Feb

            Rewriting Women into Maritime History: visibilising diverse histories and futures, 1700-2023

            Seminar on Women into Maritime History.

            Please note: this event has passed.

            07Mar

            Interplay of Empires: The Quest for Influence in the Nineteenth-Century Mediterranean

            Seminar on the Interplay of Empires.

            Please note: this event has passed.

            25Apr

            Ship of State? Regionalism and Cold War Soft Power aboard 'Le France'

            Seminar on the last ocean liner ‘Le France’.

            Please note: this event has passed.

            09May

            The Ordered Sea: Naval Diplomacy in the Mediterranean, 1815-1911

            This presentation will discuss the diplomatic activities of the Royal Navy in the Mediterranean during the post-Napoleonic era.

            Please note: this event has passed.

            23May

            The Post-Napoleonic Employment of Former Warships in the British Southern Whale Fishery, 1815-1845

            Seminar on The Post-Napoleonic Employment of Former Warships in the British Southern Whale Fishery from 1815-1845.

            Please note: this event has passed.

            Education

            The Laughton Unit supports Bachelors and Masters courses at King’s. It does this by teaching, supporting and maintaining modules on seapower, naval history, maritime strategy and various other related topics as part of War Studies and related courses. Doctoral supervision is also supported by various members of the unit’s staff. Please contact Department Staff about doctoral supervision or visit the main War Studies webpage.

            People

            Mark Bailey

            Visiting Research Associate

            Rachel Blackman-Rogers

            Lecturer in Defence Studies

            Senior Visiting Research Fellow, Laughton Naval History & Maritime Strategy Unit

            Marcus Faulkner

            Senior Lecturer in War Studies Education

            Alan James

            Reader in International History

            Kunika Kakuta

            PSRB Senior Quality Assurance Officer (MBBS)

            Projects

            Maritime Strategy
            Maritime Strategy

            Utilising the study of history; the development of concepts relating to the art, science and theory of war, the unit researches the theory and practice of maritime strategy.

              HMS Victory
              Naval History

              The unit provides the ideal basis for original and challenging research and projects on all aspects of naval history from classic period through to contemporary times.

                Corbett 100 Project
                Corbett 100

                Corbett 100 marks the centenary of the death of historian, philosopher of seapower and maritime strategist Sir Julian Corbett (1854-1922).

                Georgian papers
                Georgian Papers

                In partnership with the Royal Archives, King’s College London is undertaking a major project to digitise and interpret the archives of the Georgian papers held at Windsor Castle. The five-year programme, officially launched by Her Majesty the Queen on 1st April 2015, will digitise some 350,000 pages of original archives, including official and private papers of Britain's Hanoverian monarchs, as well as other members of the Royal Family, politicians, courtiers and the Privy Purse.

                  First World War
                  First World War at Sea

                  Studying the First World War at sea is ongoing research at the unit. The Laughton unit marked the centenary of the First World War 1914-1918 [2014-2018] with series of events and lectures.

                    Naval Wargaming logo
                    Naval Wargaming Research

                    Naval wargaming and research into it, alongside the broader study and practice of wargaming both for naval and maritime research, historical research and use as an educational tool. It regularly hosts wargames and lectures and works in partnership with the King’s Wargaming Network.

                    Contemporary and Naval History
                    Contemporary Naval History Research

                    Contemporary naval history research advances and promotes historical research into post-1945 naval affairs and maritime strategy. It also includes preserving records and experiences after 1945, such as through oral history. By focusing on this period, it also facilitates this by networking researchers in the field from across the globe.

                      Maritime Strategy and Space
                      Maritime Strategy and Space

                      Maritime Strategy and Space is Dr James WE Smith’s project exploring naval and maritime strategic concepts for space including the future of humanity in space.

                      Activities

                      Maritime History Seminars
                      Maritime History Seminars

                      Our long running series of lectures on maritime and naval history

                      News

                      New project will use maritime approach to advance space strategy

                      A new project supported by the Laughton Unit in the School of Security Studies aims to use maritime strategy to advance understanding of the role of space in...

                      James Smith Space Project

                      U.S Naval War College hosts conference with King's on defence and security challenges

                      Academics from the School of Security Studies in partnership with the U.S Naval War College and Australian Naval Institute, discussed historical questions,...

                      Corbett 100

                      Events

                      22Feb

                      Rewriting Women into Maritime History: visibilising diverse histories and futures, 1700-2023

                      Seminar on Women into Maritime History.

                      Please note: this event has passed.

                      07Mar

                      Interplay of Empires: The Quest for Influence in the Nineteenth-Century Mediterranean

                      Seminar on the Interplay of Empires.

                      Please note: this event has passed.

                      25Apr

                      Ship of State? Regionalism and Cold War Soft Power aboard 'Le France'

                      Seminar on the last ocean liner ‘Le France’.

                      Please note: this event has passed.

                      09May

                      The Ordered Sea: Naval Diplomacy in the Mediterranean, 1815-1911

                      This presentation will discuss the diplomatic activities of the Royal Navy in the Mediterranean during the post-Napoleonic era.

                      Please note: this event has passed.

                      23May

                      The Post-Napoleonic Employment of Former Warships in the British Southern Whale Fishery, 1815-1845

                      Seminar on The Post-Napoleonic Employment of Former Warships in the British Southern Whale Fishery from 1815-1845.

                      Please note: this event has passed.

                      Education

                      The Laughton Unit supports Bachelors and Masters courses at King’s. It does this by teaching, supporting and maintaining modules on seapower, naval history, maritime strategy and various other related topics as part of War Studies and related courses. Doctoral supervision is also supported by various members of the unit’s staff. Please contact Department Staff about doctoral supervision or visit the main War Studies webpage.

                      Contact us

                      Please direct enquiries for the Laughton Naval Unit to:

                      Laughton Unit
                      Department of War Studies
                      King's College London
                      Strand
                      London WC2R 2LS
                      Email: Laughtonunit@kcl.ac.uk

                      If you wish to contact Professor Andrew Lambert please visit his staff page 


                      Follow us on Twitter: @laughtonunit

                      Follow us on the War Studies YouTube,  Apple Podcast and Soundcloud.