About

The Seafarers International Research Centre (SIRC) was established in 1995 to conduct research on seafarers.

As part of the School of Social Sciences, the Centre has a particular emphasis on issues of occupational health and safety. It is the only international research facility of its kind and has built up unparalleled experience of research in this field.

SIRC aims to:

produce independent, high quality, research relating to seafarers' lives
develop work in relation to contemporary social debates such as debates around globalisation
disseminate findings widely across the maritime and academic community
stimulate greater interest and understanding of seafarers and their lives
contribute positively to the welfare of seafarers

Research

With a broad emphasis on occupational health, safety and welfare, we study the work and life of contemporary seafarers.

Resources

Our work is published in a variety of forms, and is designed to be accessible to stakeholders and policymakers.

Funding

SIRC is a University-based research centre and is independent and impartial. It has received long-term funding from the Lloyd's Register Foundation to support the Lloyd's Register Foundation research unit and from The Nippon Foundation in support of a fellowship programme for postgraduates.

The Centre has been funded/commissioned by a variety of external bodies to undertake research including:

The TK Foundation
European Commission
Economic and Social Research Council
International Labour Office
International Maritime Organisation
International Transport Workers’ Federation
UK Government’s Maritime and Coastguard Agency
Health and Safety Executive
European Maritime Safety Agency
Institution of Occupational Health and Safety
Professional Yachtsmen’s Association
Allianz
RMT
Norwegian Research Council
Swedish Mercantile Marine Foundation

The SIRC-Nippon Foundation Fellowship Programme

The Nippon Foundation is a Japanese grantmaking organisation founded in 1962, with the primary purpose of supporting the revitalisation of Japan’s maritime industry. Over the years, the Foundation’s sphere of activity has expanded inland from the oceans and now encompasses most of the globe. The Foundation has been supporting various philanthropic activities in over 100 other countries, in areas such as education, health and social welfare.

While pursuing such expansion into new areas, The Nippon Foundation has also continued to initiate pioneering ventures in the maritime field. In recent years, the Foundation has been focusing its support efforts on capacity-building initiatives aimed at better equipping the international community to tackle critical issues related to the oceans.

As part of their activities, The Nippon Foundation funded students from 2004 to 2017 to undertake maritime-related social science research at SIRC. The objective of the programme was ultimately to create an international network of social scientists conducting research on seafarers.

View our Fellowship theses