Research

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

Our focus encompasses topics such as regulation, training, healthcare access, faith, multinational workplaces and port facilities.

Our mission

As an international research facility, our mission is to produce independent research relating to seafarers' lives and, where relevant, to contribute positively to their welfare. Our studies are grounded in the theory and methods of social science and relate to broader social debates such as those around equality and diversity, globalisation and the rights and responsibilities of workers and corporations.

We share our findings widely across the maritime and academic community as well as global regulators and policymakers at the International Maritime Organisation, the International Labour Office, the UK Maritime Coastguard Agency and other national Maritime Administrations.

The work undertaken at SIRC is published in a variety of forms. It is designed to be accessible and available to stakeholders and policymakers as well as academics and students.

Through a range of ongoing, and new, global partnerships, we aim to create a worldwide network of researchers familiar with the shipping industry and its labour force. In all of our research, we seek to build cooperation with every branch of the shipping industry.