Research Opportunity - Investigating Colonial Port Development

Posted: Friday 5th June 2026

Be part of an exciting new research project uncovering the hidden stories of colonial ports in Australia and Pakistan and help bring maritime history to life for future generations.

The project is a collaboration of the Australasian Institute for Maritime Archaeology and MaritimEA Research, with support from the Nautical Archaeology Society and funding from Lloyd’s Register Foundation.

Investigating Colonial Port Development through the Lloyd’s Register Archive is a unique international collaboration exploring how ports shaped trade, migration, communities, and everyday life across the colonial world. Using the world-renowned Lloyd’s Register Archive, volunteer researchers will investigate historic harbour infrastructure, ship movements, cargoes, and the people who worked and travelled through these ports.

While most of the research will take place online, there will be a group of UK-based volunteers working directly with the Lloyd’s Register Archive in London, helping uncover and contextualise materials that are often difficult to access internationally.

Whether you are an aspiring researcher, heritage enthusiast, student, or citizen scientist, this project offers a rare opportunity to gain hands-on experience in maritime archaeological research while contributing to ground-breaking international heritage work.

Find out more on how to apply by 20 June 2026: UK-Pakistan Underwater Heritage Collaboration