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Principal Investigator: Forget Chaterera-Zambuko
The research aims to investigate and document the UAE’s maritime records that were displaced during the colonial period and are currently held in UK institutions. The primary goal is to map the scope, content, and accessibility of these migrated archives and to explore possibilities for their repatriation, digital return, or shared custodianship. The study also seeks to assess the current state of maritime archival practices within the UAE to identify gaps and opportunities for strengthening local archival infrastructure and policy. Adopting a qualitative, multi-phase methodology, the research combines historical and archival research, institutional site visits, expert interviews, and policy analysis. Phase one focuses on archival surveys in UK-based institutions such as the British Library, The National Archives (Kew), the School of Oriental and African Studies and the University of Exeter. Phase two involves assessments of local archival repositories in the UAE, including the National Library and Archives, the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive, and Abu Dhabi Maritime. This is followed by stakeholder interviews with archivists and heritage professionals both in the UK and the UAE. The final phase includes reviewing international frameworks and national policies related to archival repatriation and heritage governance. The project’s potential impact is multifaceted. Academically, it will contribute to scholarship on displaced archives, maritime heritage, and archival justice. Nationally, it supports the UAE’s cultural preservation efforts, reinforces identity, and promotes digital transformation in the heritage sector. Institutionally, it positions Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi as a leader in archival research and capacity building by involving student researchers. Ultimately, the study aims to enhance global awareness of UAE’s maritime legacy while advocating for repatriation and shared custodianship of displaced or migrated maritime archival heritage.
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