Masters Prizes

The Masters Dissertation Prize is an annual prize of £100 awarded for an outstanding dissertation on maritime history. Subjects eligible for consideration reflect the Commission’s view of maritime history as a wide-ranging discipline. 

The prize winner for 2024 (2023-24 session) goes to Kit Barton (University of Plymouth) for their thesis Sailmakers in British Naval Dockyards at the Turn of the 18^th Century.

Read the news item here. 

How to make a nomination

The dissertation must have been assessed as part of a Masters degree and awarded during the previous *academic year (2024-25). 

Dissertations awarded distinction marks of 70+ are eligible for consideration. Institutions may only submit one dissertation to the competition.   

Nominations must be made by Heads of Department or equivalent.  Judging is by a Prize Committee, whose decision is final.

The closing date for nominations for the 2024/5 session is 1^st December 2025 

To make a nomination please complete the Masters Prize Form and upload supporting documents here.

MA Dissertation Prize winner, 2024

Kit Barton (University of Plymouth) for their thesis Sailmakers in British Naval Dockyards at the Turn of the 18^th Century.

Sailmakers constituted a small percentage of the artisans employed in naval dockyards, working in the sail lofts and sometimes at sea. Kit Barton’s study, focusing principally on Plymouth, explores the working spaces, social status, work patterns and impact of these neglected artisans. The study uses the important archival materials, highlights the contribution the study of these workers can make to related subjects and the opportunities there are for further research in the subject.

Find out about previous prize winners here. 

For further information, please contact the Hon Secretary