Welcome to the Modern Monarchy in Global Perspective Research Hub. Our hub provides global perspectives on how monarchy shapes modern history.
The Modern Monarchy in Global Perspective Research Hub brings together university academics, museum, gallery and heritage curators as well as independent scholars from around the world whose work illuminates the practices, impact and legacies of monarchy from c.1800 to the present. This hub is the first to consider monarchy from a global rather than simply western or ‘Global North’ perspective. It establishes a dialogue among those interested in transnational, comparative and multi-disciplinary approaches to monarchy from different countries around the globe. A particular focus is the way in which imperialism and colonialism (and decolonization) transformed monarchies in both colonizing and colonized countries. We explore the political, social and cultural role of monarchy and the critique of the institution, the changes monarchies have undergone, contemporary issues surrounding royal dynasties, and the legacies of monarchy in material culture, monuments, national narratives and public memory.
The hub draws members from a variety of academic disciplines and professional backgrounds involved in scholarship, museum, gallery and heritage site exhibitions and online media productions. The hub welcomes researchers from diverse backgrounds to contribute to the scholarly conversation on monarchy, as well as to engage with the broader public. It especially welcomes Indigenous researchers and those who work in languages other than in English.
The hub:
- Provides research profiles, lists of new publications on monarchy, presentation of current projects and contact details of hub members
- Publishes notices of conferences, seminars, workshops, exhibitions, interviews and other events concerning modern monarchy as well as information on research collaboration and grant funding
- Organizes occasional ZOOM seminars, interviews and conferences at which members and guests, including postgraduate students and independent scholars present their research ideas and findings

Platinum Jubilee
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Our members are a diverse, global community.
About Monarchies
- History
- Today
- Impact
Throughout history, individuals and extended families have claimed the right to rule over not only traditional homelands, but new territories too.
Monarchs ruled much of the world until well into the 20th century, and in many places still today.
They encompassed a range of political, constitutional, religious and cultural practices and often wielded immense influence over the lives of their subjects.
Going Platinum: Australian Responses to the reign of Queen Elizabeth II
This online conference seeks to recover antipodean perspectives on the British monarchy, including Indigenous/First Nations Perspectives Learn More.
The Call for Papers has now closed. Download the FINAL Programme as well as the Abstracts booklet. Contact Cindy McCreery with any queries.
Image Source: National Museum of Australia
Media & Events
Digital Seminar Series
Resources
About our featured image:
The collage is made of images selected from the Chau Chak Wing Museum's Macleay Collection, Nicholson Collection and University Art Collection. Images were chosen due to their association with themes of monarchy, imperialism, colonialism and decolonisation.
For a detailed description of each image, please see below:
Place: Sydney, NSW, Australia. Photograph: Henry King. Anthropology Department Lantern Slide Collection. Macleay Collection, Chau Chak Wing Museum, HP99.1.105
www.sydney.edu.au/museums/collections_search/?record=ecatalogue.80752