Prof. Agnieszka Kolodziej-Durnas carried out a short-term scientific mission (STSM) on behalf of the RethinkBlue Cost Action, entitled “Port cities – where seafarers meet land and coastal communities meet sea”.
Prof Kolodziej-Durnas told us:
“The goals of this STSM entitled were two-fold. The first category of goals referred to the first part of the title: “Port cities – where seafarers meet land” and was associated with getting acquainted with the best practices of conducting research among seafarers and their needs fulfilled in ports. I interviewed the members of SIRC team and I analysed the results of their research (reports, films, scientific publications, conference posters). SIRC team members conduct qualitative research including interviewing seafarers and observing them during field work but also exploring places where seafarers get help in ports and interviewing and observing people who provide such assistance. Such institutions include chaplaincy centres, training centres, refreshment places, dormitories.”
“The other category of goals refers to the second part of the title “Port cities – where coastal communities meet sea”. I visited a few places and institutions in Cardiff, Swansea and Bristol. Cardiff – Pier Building – information and photographs on the maritime professions, the history of the place, how it transformed from industrial to tourist attraction (Welsh Industrial and Maritime Museum was closed done here in 1998 to give place for new Mermaid Quay shopping space. The museum was reopened in Swansea in 2005 as National Waterfront Museum. Bristol – slave trade centre and the place of abolitionist movement and protest (in favour of abolition and against it). In the city there are parts of exhibitions referring to it in MShed museum, St Mary Redcliffe Church and Historical Walks are organised which explore the city’s thousand year involvement in the slave trade. At Brunell’s SS Great Britain one may see (and feel) life at sea exhibition. So in port people show each other not only history (constructed and reconstructed, interpreted and reinterpreted) but also transfer knowledge (e.g.) to children what does it mean to be a seafarer or what is the background of multiculturality of the community.”
Prof. Agnieszka Kolodziej-Durnas works at the Institute of Sociology, University of Szczecin, Poland
