Inter-, multi- and trans-disciplinarity in maritime history: Potentialities and limits

Abstract

Following an ongoing debate, this paper argues that the future of the encompassing field of maritime history might proceed in three main directions: (1) convergence with the debates and the societal challenges for 2020–2030 and beyond, as defined by the UN 17 Sustainable Development Goals; (2) merger with a broad field of maritime studies, multidisciplinary by nature; and (3) dialogue with different disciplines to develop transdisciplinary methods. Even if not totally new at the current stage in maritime history’s development, these challenges are expected to emerge as crucial in the next decades.