Historical artwork from the Chau Chak Wing Museum
Research_

Modern Monarchy in Global Perspective Research Hub

Global perspectives on how monarchy shapes modern history
Our research hub brings together researchers from universities, museums, galleries and heritage sites interested in the history of modern monarchy and its global impact.

About Us

The Modern Monarchy in Global Perspective Research Hub is the first to consider monarchy from a global, rather than simply western, or ‘Global North’ perspective. It establishes a dialogue among those interested in transnational, comparative and multi-disciplinary approaches to monarchy from different countries around the globe.

The research hub brings together university academics, museum, gallery and heritage curators as well as independent scholars from around the world whose work illuminates the practices, impact and legacies of monarchy from c.1800 to the present. 

A particular focus is the way in which imperialism and colonialism (and decolonization) transformed monarchies in both colonizing and colonized countries. We explore the political, social and cultural role of monarchy and the critique of the institution, the changes monarchies have undergone, contemporary issues surrounding royal dynasties, and the legacies of monarchy in material culture, monuments, national narratives and public memory. 

The research hub:

  • Provides research profiles, lists of new publications on monarchy, presentation of current projects and contact details of network members.

  • Publishes notices of conferences, seminars, workshops, exhibitions, interviews and other events concerning modern monarchy as well as information on research collaboration and grant funding.

  • Organises occasional ZOOM seminars, interviews and conferences at which members and guests, including postgraduate students and independent scholars present their research ideas and findings.

We welcome researchers from diverse backgrounds to contribute to the scholarly conversation on monarchy, as well as to engage with the broader public. It especially welcomes Indigenous researchers and those who work in languages other than in English.

A flag saying welcome to Australia with Queen Elizabeth and Duke of Edinburgh pictured in the centre

Events

Going Platinum: Australian responses to the reign of Queen Elizabeth II

20-22 June 2022, The University of Sydney, Australia

This online conference seeks to recover antipodean perspectives on the British monarchy, including Indigenous/First Nations perspectives.

 


All images courtesy of the Chau Chak Wing Museum at the University of Sydney.  Learn more about the individual images in this collage.

Dr Cindy McCreery

Senior Lecturer

Facts & figures

About Monarchies

  • Throughout history, individuals and extended families have claimed the right to rule over not only traditional homelands, but new territories too.
  • Monarchs ruled much of the world until well into the 20th century, and in many places still today.
  • They encompassed a range of political, constitutional, religious and cultural practices and often wielded immense influence over the lives of their subjects.