Main Content Jump to Footer

Debt, poverty and slavery in historical perspective

Dr Judith Mary Spicksley and Professor David Richardson
Wilberforce Institute for the Study of Slavery and Emancipation, University of Hull
£146,416 over 3 years

Dr Judith Mary Spicksley and Professor David Richardson will examine and compare similarities and discontinuities between contemporary debt-related slavery and early forms of slavery. The study will engage with legal, philosophical and moral debates about slavery, set modern day slavery in a historical perspective, and increase understanding of contemporary and historical slavery in their economic, political, social and cultural contexts. The research will involve a detailed historical case study of slavery in two African regions including analysis of documentary evidence to provide a test case of comparisons with debt bondage. Dr Spicksley will acquire a new body of historical knowledge on slavery, and, in addition to acquiring interdisciplinary research skills, will develop palaeographic and linguistic skills in French and Portuguese.

Last Updated Thu, 31 August 2006