Research
The Maritime Museum Rotterdam and Erasmus University Rotterdam are the founders of the Centre. Research focusses on Dutch shipbuilding; the port of Rotterdam and its hinterland; and the Dutch offshore industry.
The Rotterdam Centre for Modern Maritime History (RCMMH) coordinates and stimulates research on the history of Dutch shipping since 1800. Courses on the topics, Dutch shipbuilding; the port of Rotterdam and its hinterland; and the Dutch offshore industry, are offered to students of Erasmus University who can use the collection of the Maritime Museum as a source for their research. Within the Centre, museum curators and academic researchers share their individual expertise and competencies. Results will be accessible through the common research channels and will contribute to the program of the Maritime Museum as well.
A strong team
Prof. dr. Hein Klemann, full professor of economic history and international relations, together with maritime historian dr. Els Jacobs, forms a strong team that stimulates the use of scientific research results in the activities of the museum.
Maritime historian dr. Els Jacobs stimulates research outcomes putting to use in the activities of the museum, such as expositions or school programsis. As curator-in-residence at Erasmus University her research activities aim at connecting Museum and University with other institutions and individual scholars to create an academic network, the core of which will be the Maritime Museum Rotterdam and Erasmus University.
Prof. Dr. Paul van de Laar is a special professor of urban history of Rotterdam (Jurriaanse leerstoel) at the Erasmus School of History, Culture and Communication (ESHCC). From 2013 to 2020 he was director of Museum Rotterdam.
He has published on a wide range of subjects. In 2023 he published, together with Peter Scholten, De Echte Rotterdammer komt van buiten. Rotterdammigratiestad 1600-2022.
He is currently working on the question: what can we learn from the history of the port of Rotterdam for the future?
The unique collaboration project between Museum and University is possible thanks to external funding by several Rotterdam funds and the Mondriaan Foundation (in addition to the regular budget of the institutions). The Erasmus University and the Erasmus Trust Fund contribute as well. We express our appreciation for their financial support. Thanks to their commitment, we can live up to our academic ambitions in the field of modern maritime history.
To collaborate?
The RCMMG is always looking for academic collaborations. Do you have a question, tip or idea in this area?
Send a message to Els Jacobs