David Wilson

Dr David Wilson is a Senior Lecturer in History at the University of Strathclyde’s School of Humanities, specializing in maritime, legal, and environmental histories of British colonialism. He holds a PhD from the University of Strathclyde (2018) and has been a Co-Investigator on the One Ocean Hub, a UKRI-funded project addressing oceanic governance. His research explores colonial-era maritime governance, piracy, and fisheries management, with a focus on Ghana, Malawi, and the Solomon Islands. Wilson is also a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society and co-founder of The Problem of Piracy Network.

• Education:
  • PhD in History, University of Strathclyde (2018)
  • MSc in Historical Studies, University of Strathclyde (2013)
  • Bachelor of Arts in History, University of Strathclyde (2012)

His research interests include maritime law, piracy, fishing communities, and the decolonization of historical narratives. Recent projects include analyses of fisheries governance in Lake Malawi and the legacy of colonial legal frameworks in coastal jurisdictions. Wilson collaborates with international organizations like CEFAS and the UN, emphasizing knowledge exchange with marginalized coastal communities.

His teaching focuses on early modern imperialism, piracy, and Scotland’s maritime history. He has supervised doctoral research on topics ranging from Scottish parliamentary history to the environmental impact of mining in Ghana.

• Awards:
  • Boydell & Brewer Prize for Best Doctoral Thesis in Maritime History (2019)
  • Fellow of the Royal Historical Society (2021)