Port Cities and Maritime Cultures

Guy Collender
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Port Cities and Maritime Cultures - a new podcast from the University of Portsmouth - focuses on the past, present and future importance of the waterfront and coastal communities. Too often such places and their peoples have been forgotten and marginalised. In each 30-minute episode, Dr Guy Collender interviews researchers to find out about the peoples, cultures, cargoes and ships found at sea, in port, and along the coast. The podcast is produced by the Centre for Port Cities and Maritime Cultures at the University of Portsmouth. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episodes

  1. Sail to steam, carbon to green: Learning from past energy transitions

    10/27/2025

    Sail to steam, carbon to green: Learning from past energy transitions

    The invention and rise of steamships in the nineteenth century can provide valuable lessons for today’s shift from fossil fuels to green alternatives in the maritime sector. In this episode, History PhD scholar Carlos Ausejo discusses how the Peruvian port of Callao changed because of the switch from sail to steam, and how these insights can help steer policy today. He shows how technological change and the demand for coal had a major impact on the workforce, and the infrastructure of the port city. Carlos, from the Peruvian capital Lima, also describes his family’s own connections with nearby Callao. His great-grandmother was a pioneering woman as she worked in the masculine world of the port as a broker, buying and selling goods. In this episode, Carlos shares his enthusiasm for studying at the University of Portsmouth, his affection for his new seaside home, and his interest in Portsmouth Historic Dockyard – his favourite place in Portsmouth. Carlos’ scholarship is funded by Lloyd’s Register Foundation as part of its support for the Sail to Steam, Carbon to Green research project at the Centre for Port Cities and Maritime Cultures (PCMC) at the University of Portsmouth. The discussion in this episode also refers to an earlier interview in this podcast series with Dr Charlie McKinlay, Fuels and Technology Lead at Lloyd’s Register Maritime Decarbonisation Hub, in which he shared his thoughts about the multi-fuel future of the maritime sector (including ammonia, hydrogen and wind assistance). The Port Cities and Maritime Cultures podcast series is presented by Dr Guy Collender, of PCMC. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    20 min
  2. The Perilous Deep: A Supernatural History of the Atlantic

    07/29/2025

    The Perilous Deep: A Supernatural History of the Atlantic

    The dangers and mysteries of the Atlantic have inspired compelling and supernatural tales of sea monsters, mermaids and ill-fated ships. In this episode, Dr Karl Bell, Associate Professor of Cultural and Social History at the University of Portsmouth, shares research from his new book about the creation and purpose of such maritime folklore, and how it evolved during the technological transition from sail to steam. His book is called The Perilous Deep: A Supernatural History of the Atlantic. The hardback publication can be bought online from Reaktion Books for £18. Dr Bell, Co-director of the Centre for Port Cities and Maritime Cultures at the University of Portsmouth, also speaks about his involvement in the Sail to Steam, Carbon to Green project funded by Lloyd's Register Foundation. In addition, he outlines the opportunities to study History at the University of Portsmouth this autumn, including the MA Victorian Gothic: History, Literature and Culture MA, which he leads. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    21 min
  3. The Devil's Highway: The myths and realities of life in London's sailortown

    02/14/2025

    The Devil's Highway: The myths and realities of life in London's sailortown

    Ratcliffe Highway - the heart of London's sailortown - had a notorious reputation for knife crime and immorality in the nineteenth century. In this episode, Brad Beaven, Professor of Social and Cultural History at the University of Portsmouth, shares research from his new book about this cosmopolitan and waterfront district. He explains the myths and realities of life in an 'international contact zone', the impact of the sensationalist press, and the role of women in managing sailortown institutions, including boarding houses and pubs. His book, published by Manchester University Press, is called The Devil's Highway: Urban Anxieties and Subaltern Cultures in London's Sailortown, c. 1850-1900.  Professor Beaven also speaks about work underway at the Centre for Port Cities and Maritime Cultures, which he co-directs, at the University of Portsmouth. He refers to the distinctiveness and importance of urban-maritime research, and the value of co-producing knowledge, especially with partners in the global south as part of the Sail to Steam, Carbon to Green project funded by Lloyd's Register Foundation. The podcast is presented and produced by Dr Guy Collender, of the Centre for Port Cities and Maritime Cultures at the University of Portsmouth. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    12 min
  4. Shipping and energy transitions: From sail to steam and to the green technologies of the future

    11/25/2024

    Shipping and energy transitions: From sail to steam and to the green technologies of the future

    The shipping industry is a heavy polluter and accounts for three per cent of global carbon emissions, but it is on the verge of transformative change. In this episode, Dr Charlie McKinlay, Fuels and Technology Lead at Lloyd’s Register Maritime Decarbonisation Hub (pictured, left), discusses the potential of green solutions – from hydrogen and ammonia to the return of wind power. He says the UN’s target for the sector to reach net-zero around 2050 is achievable, though he cautions that action is needed urgently. Dr McKinlay describes how energy transitions are nothing new when it comes to shipping, port cities and their workforces. In the nineteenth century, coal and steam power replaced sail as part of the first propulsion revolution at sea. He also shares research about the potential of ports in the Asia-Pacific region to adapt to green technologies, and outlines his hopes for the new Sail to Steam, Carbon to Green project funded by Lloyd’s Register Foundation at the University of Portsmouth.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    15 min

  5. 09/01/2024

    The unique port city of Portsmouth: From importing bananas to conserving HMS Victory

    From importing 50 per cent of the UK's bananas to being the home of the Royal Navy since the twelfth century, the port city of Portsmouth is unique. These interviews focus on the activities of cargo ships, ferries, cruise ships, and warships, and new research about what local residents think of living by the coast in three places in the UK, including Portsmouth. In this third episode of Port Cities and Maritime Cultures, Dr Guy Collender, Research Fellow, University of Portsmouth, speaks to:  Mike Sellers, Port Director, Portsmouth International Port, about cargo ships, ferries, cruise ships, and the pioneering Sea Change project to bring shore power to vessels as part of efforts to cut carbon emissions (0:59-9:40).Find out about Portsmouth International Port Find out about the Sea Change project and the University of Portsmouth's involvement Matthew Sheldon, Chief Executive Officer, National Museum of the Royal Navy, about the Royal Navy's historic home in Portsmouth, the ongoing and major conservation of HMS Victory, and plans for a Royal Marines' Museum (09:49-19:49).Visit the National Museum of the Royal Navy Dr Victoria Leslie, Research Fellow, University of Portsmouth, about using the community voice method to film local residents and find out what they think about living near the sea (19:57-28:54).Watch film: Tides of Change, Portsmouth Watch film: Reddin Values, Shetland Watch film: Watershed, Chepstow and River Wye The podcast is produced by the Centre for Port Cities and Maritime Cultures at the University of Portsmouth. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    30 min
  6. Remembering D-Day, funding for maritime research, and the Swedish port of Halmstad

    07/11/2024

    Remembering D-Day, funding for maritime research, and the Swedish port of Halmstad

    The plans for D-Day, funding for research about the transition from sail to steam, and the Swedish port of Halmstad all feature in these latest interviews. In this second episode of Port Cities and Maritime Cultures, Dr Guy Collender, Research Fellow, University of Portsmouth, speaks to:  Dr Ann Coats, Associate Professor in Maritime History, University of Portsmouth, about the preparations for D-Day, including research shared at the recent Yards to Hards conference (1 minute 51 seconds to 12 minutes 5 seconds)Visit the D-Day Story, PortsmouthDr Robert James, Senior Lecturer in Cultural and Social History, University of Portsmouth, about memories of D-Day, and the findings made by students in The D-Day Story’s archives (12:06-18:17) Visit the D-Day Story, Portsmouth Read the research and listen to a podcast produced by students following their work at the archives of The D-Day Story, Portsmouth Study History at the University of Portsmouth Louise Sanger, Head of Research, Interpretation and Engagement, Lloyd’s Register Foundation’s Heritage and Education Centre, about the new Sail to Steam, Carbon to Green research project and the SHE_SEES exhibition coming to Portsmouth (18:18-27:47) Read about the £635,000 from Lloyd’s Register Foundation to research maritime energy transition research to understand the impact on coastal communities Read about women in the maritime sector and the SHE_SEES exhibition at the Portsmouth Historic Dockyard Dr Tomas Nilson (above, right), Senior Lecturer, School of Education, Humanities and Social Sciences, Halmstad University, Sweden, about the history and culture of the port city of Halmstad, its university and their links with Portsmouth (27:48-32:59)Oscar Karlsson (above, left), History PhD student, University of Portsmouth and Halmstad University, about his research on abysses of misery - prison hulks in Portsmouth and coastal fortress prisons in Sweden, c. 1780-1850 (33:00-37:02)Read about Oscar Karlsson’s research and his experiences as an international student The podcast is produced by the Centre for Port Cities and Maritime Cultures at the University of Portsmouth. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    39 min
  7. Naval widows, women's maritime roles, and Glasgow's shipbuilding heritage

    05/07/2024

    Naval widows, women's maritime roles, and Glasgow's shipbuilding heritage

    Naval widows, women’s maritime roles, Glasgow's shipbuilding heritage and transatlantic liners are all discussed in the Port Cities and Maritime Cultures - a new podcast from the University of Portsmouth. In this first 30-minute episode, Dr Guy Collender, Post Doctoral Research Fellow, University of Portsmouth, speaks to: Dr Melanie Bassett, Research Fellow in Public Engagement, University of Portsmouth, about the Battle of Jutland and naval widows in World War One Zara Money, former MA Naval History student from the University of Portsmouth, about the history of women’s roles in the maritime sectorProfessor Faye Hammill, Professor of English Literature and Canadian Studies, University of Glasgow, about transatlantic liners and Glasgow’s shipbuilding heritage The podcast is produced by the Centre for Port Cities and Maritime Cultures at the University of Portsmouth. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    31 min
  • 7 Episodes

About

Port Cities and Maritime Cultures - a new podcast from the University of Portsmouth - focuses on the past, present and future importance of the waterfront and coastal communities. Too often such places and their peoples have been forgotten and marginalised. In each 30-minute episode, Dr Guy Collender interviews researchers to find out about the peoples, cultures, cargoes and ships found at sea, in port, and along the coast. The podcast is produced by the Centre for Port Cities and Maritime Cultures at the University of Portsmouth. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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