This conference will explore how the Royal Navy recruited its personnel from its earliest times to the present day, including its various branches and services such as the Royal Marines, Women’s Royal Naval Services, Royal Naval Air Service, Fleet Air Arm and Submarine Service. The conference is open to scholars from all backgrounds and disciplines that are using analyses naval manpower within their research.

Paper proposals that cover the following areas will be especially welcome: • Recruiting for the Navy since 1660 • Impact of economic and other factors on recruiting • Analyses of geographical spread or sources of recruits • The experiences of recruits to the Royal Navy and its constituent branches • The initial entry and training of recruits • The impact of technology on recruiting needs and standards • Educational levels of recruits • Officer recruiting • Recruiting to the lower deck • Corporate attitudes to recruiting and views regarding the quality of recruits • Comparisons between the Royal Navy and the experience of other branches of the Armed Forces or other Navies.

Scholars wishing to submit a paper proposal for consideration should send a 300 word outline of their paper, and a 1 page CV to Dr Duncan Redford: duncan.redford@nmrn.org.uk or write to him at the National Museum of the Royal Navy, HM Naval Base (PP66), Portsmouth, PO1 3NH by Monday 4 March 2013.