Dr. Mollie Carlyle
@molliecarlyle.bsky.social
Maritime musicologist and author of 'The Shantyman's Compendium'. Completed a PhD on ‘the last shantyman’, Stan Hugill, at the University of Aberdeen.
https://www.molliecarlyle.com
https://www.molliecarlyle.com
Pinned
Publication news! This morning I signed the contract for my first book! *From Ship to Screen: The Cultural Legacy of Sea Shanties* is officially underway and will be published by Palgrave Macmillan in 2026. ⚓️ ⛵️ 🎶 #Shanties #FromShipToScreen #MaritimeHistory
Had a fantastic weekend in London presenting my paper at the Popular Airs and Traditional Tunes conference (plus bonus matinee of Othello on the side). Slightly surreal to talk to people who I largely know from citing their works in my PhD thesis - thank goodness they were all lovely! ⚓️🎶 #TTPA2025
November 9, 2025 at 5:06 PM
Had a fantastic weekend in London presenting my paper at the Popular Airs and Traditional Tunes conference (plus bonus matinee of Othello on the side). Slightly surreal to talk to people who I largely know from citing their works in my PhD thesis - thank goodness they were all lovely! ⚓️🎶 #TTPA2025
Putting the finishing touches on my slides for the Traditional Airs and Tunes Conference at Cecil Sharp House next weekend! Can’t wait to hear everyone’s presentations - it sounds like a fantastic programme ⚓️🎶
October 31, 2025 at 7:13 PM
Putting the finishing touches on my slides for the Traditional Airs and Tunes Conference at Cecil Sharp House next weekend! Can’t wait to hear everyone’s presentations - it sounds like a fantastic programme ⚓️🎶
Still humming shanties after an amazing couple of days at the Harwich International Shanty Festival! So glad that I managed to catch The Keelers in conversation - such great stories (and voices, of course) ⚓️🎶 #harwichinternationalshantyfestival #seasongs #seashanties #maritime
October 11, 2025 at 7:27 PM
Still humming shanties after an amazing couple of days at the Harwich International Shanty Festival! So glad that I managed to catch The Keelers in conversation - such great stories (and voices, of course) ⚓️🎶 #harwichinternationalshantyfestival #seasongs #seashanties #maritime
My new article is out in Nineteenth-Century Music Review! ‘Hearing London’s Sailortown in Shanty Repertoire’ explores how 19th-century sailors’ songs reflect the noisy, lively, often precarious world of London’s docklands. www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
#MaritimeHistory #Musicology #SeaShanties
#MaritimeHistory #Musicology #SeaShanties
Hearing London’s Sailortown in Shanty Repertoire | Nineteenth-Century Music Review | Cambridge Core
Hearing London’s Sailortown in Shanty Repertoire
www.cambridge.org
October 8, 2025 at 6:21 PM
My new article is out in Nineteenth-Century Music Review! ‘Hearing London’s Sailortown in Shanty Repertoire’ explores how 19th-century sailors’ songs reflect the noisy, lively, often precarious world of London’s docklands. www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
#MaritimeHistory #Musicology #SeaShanties
#MaritimeHistory #Musicology #SeaShanties
Spent the weekend grappling with Medieval sources of shanty singing- swapping out last week’s Greek texts for Latin dictionaries. Looking forward to rolling up my sleeves for some deep manuscript work next weekend as I step into the Early Modern period #seashanties #maritimehistory #FromShiptoScreen
September 28, 2025 at 4:43 PM
Spent the weekend grappling with Medieval sources of shanty singing- swapping out last week’s Greek texts for Latin dictionaries. Looking forward to rolling up my sleeves for some deep manuscript work next weekend as I step into the Early Modern period #seashanties #maritimehistory #FromShiptoScreen
Stepping out of my 19th/20th-century comfort zone to explore proto-shantying in Ancient Greek and Roman sources. Largely relying on my schoolgirl knowledge of Greek (which I haven’t studied since I was 14) to get me through! #FromShiptoScreen #shanties #seasongs #οἶνοψπόντος ⚓️🎶
September 20, 2025 at 5:51 PM
Stepping out of my 19th/20th-century comfort zone to explore proto-shantying in Ancient Greek and Roman sources. Largely relying on my schoolgirl knowledge of Greek (which I haven’t studied since I was 14) to get me through! #FromShiptoScreen #shanties #seasongs #οἶνοψπόντος ⚓️🎶
A nice little summary of my Autumn/Winter research project (‘From Fo’c’sle to Footlights: Maritime Imaginaries in British Musical Theatre’) has just been published on the V&A website ⚓️🎶
www.vam.ac.uk/blog/news/va...
www.vam.ac.uk/blog/news/va...
V&A and Bunnett-Muir Musical Theatre Archive Trust award their first Musical Theatre Fellows and Grant Recipients • V&A Blog
When we invited researchers and practitioners to apply for the new Musical Theatre Research Grants earlier this summer, we could not have anticipated the breadth of exciting proposals we would receive...
www.vam.ac.uk
September 14, 2025 at 10:30 AM
A nice little summary of my Autumn/Winter research project (‘From Fo’c’sle to Footlights: Maritime Imaginaries in British Musical Theatre’) has just been published on the V&A website ⚓️🎶
www.vam.ac.uk/blog/news/va...
www.vam.ac.uk/blog/news/va...
Had a brilliant few days at the RMA Conference. I presented on London’s sailortown and shanty repertoire (no one criticised my map-drawing skills!), and had a great time reconnecting with colleagues. Can’t wait for Belfast 2026! @royalmusical.bsky.social
www.molliecarlyle.com/post/reflect...
www.molliecarlyle.com/post/reflect...
Reflections on the RMA Annual Conference 2025
The Royal Musical Association’s Annual Conference has long been a fixture in my academic calendar, and this year’s gathering in Southampton confirmed once again why it remains one of my favourite scho...
www.molliecarlyle.com
September 13, 2025 at 10:21 AM
Had a brilliant few days at the RMA Conference. I presented on London’s sailortown and shanty repertoire (no one criticised my map-drawing skills!), and had a great time reconnecting with colleagues. Can’t wait for Belfast 2026! @royalmusical.bsky.social
www.molliecarlyle.com/post/reflect...
www.molliecarlyle.com/post/reflect...
Following the Annual Conference, I’m delighted to share that I have been awarded a Royal Musical Association 150th Anniversary Fellowship! This will support the completion of my book: ‘From Ship to Screen: The Cultural Legacy of Sea Shanties’. Huge thanks to the RMA for this recognition! ⚓️🎶
September 13, 2025 at 10:10 AM
Following the Annual Conference, I’m delighted to share that I have been awarded a Royal Musical Association 150th Anniversary Fellowship! This will support the completion of my book: ‘From Ship to Screen: The Cultural Legacy of Sea Shanties’. Huge thanks to the RMA for this recognition! ⚓️🎶
Reposted by Dr. Mollie Carlyle
Speakers Announced!
For the two days of Traditional Tunes and Popular Airs Conference at @cecilsharphouse.bsky.social in November. Book your tickets now.
bit.ly/47sgL0e
For the two days of Traditional Tunes and Popular Airs Conference at @cecilsharphouse.bsky.social in November. Book your tickets now.
bit.ly/47sgL0e
Traditional Tunes and Popular Airs: Speakers Announced
The 4th Traditional Tunes and Popular Airs (TTPA) conference taking place at Cecil Sharp House, London, Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 November 2025, brings together researchers working on ‘traditional’ and ...
bit.ly
September 8, 2025 at 4:08 PM
Speakers Announced!
For the two days of Traditional Tunes and Popular Airs Conference at @cecilsharphouse.bsky.social in November. Book your tickets now.
bit.ly/47sgL0e
For the two days of Traditional Tunes and Popular Airs Conference at @cecilsharphouse.bsky.social in November. Book your tickets now.
bit.ly/47sgL0e
I'm thrilled to share that I've received a £1,000 grant from the V&A/Bunnett-Muir Musical Theatre Archive Trust to write a new article: ‘From Fo’c’sle to Footlights: Maritime Imaginaries in British Musical Theatre’. Can’t wait to dive into the archives! ⚓ #VandA #TheatreStudies #CulturalHistory
July 31, 2025 at 4:28 PM
I'm thrilled to share that I've received a £1,000 grant from the V&A/Bunnett-Muir Musical Theatre Archive Trust to write a new article: ‘From Fo’c’sle to Footlights: Maritime Imaginaries in British Musical Theatre’. Can’t wait to dive into the archives! ⚓ #VandA #TheatreStudies #CulturalHistory
Here is the (very) short Q&A with me that appears in the official Tall Ships Aberdeen programme. I spoke about historical shanty singing and multilingual traditions. Proud to be credited as a maritime musicologist! #seashanties #maritimehistory #TallShips
July 22, 2025 at 9:02 AM
Here is the (very) short Q&A with me that appears in the official Tall Ships Aberdeen programme. I spoke about historical shanty singing and multilingual traditions. Proud to be credited as a maritime musicologist! #seashanties #maritimehistory #TallShips
Just returned from the Tall Ships Race in Aberdeen. Saw two ships Stan Hugill once sailed on: Belem and Sørlandet. It rained non-stop, but it was still a joy to be back in the city. www.molliecarlyle.com/post/tall-sh...
July 22, 2025 at 8:58 AM
Just returned from the Tall Ships Race in Aberdeen. Saw two ships Stan Hugill once sailed on: Belem and Sørlandet. It rained non-stop, but it was still a joy to be back in the city. www.molliecarlyle.com/post/tall-sh...
Glad to see that my new website is up and running! 🎉
Next week, I’ll be posting about the Tall Ships Race in Aberdeen (including my own involvement), so stay tuned.
www.molliecarlyle.com
Next week, I’ll be posting about the Tall Ships Race in Aberdeen (including my own involvement), so stay tuned.
www.molliecarlyle.com
Mollie Carlyle | Maritime Musicologist
Discover the academic research and contributions of Dr. Mollie Carlyle, a maritime musicologist dedicated to exploring the intersections of music, culture and maritime history.
www.molliecarlyle.com
July 16, 2025 at 1:18 PM
Glad to see that my new website is up and running! 🎉
Next week, I’ll be posting about the Tall Ships Race in Aberdeen (including my own involvement), so stay tuned.
www.molliecarlyle.com
Next week, I’ll be posting about the Tall Ships Race in Aberdeen (including my own involvement), so stay tuned.
www.molliecarlyle.com
Presenting a paper at the North American British Music Studies symposium on ‘Rethinking Landscape: Environment, Place, and Heritage in British Music Studies’ this evening. It’ll be great to share some of my initial thoughts on developing a maritime-led framework for understanding global history.
July 10, 2025 at 5:31 PM
Presenting a paper at the North American British Music Studies symposium on ‘Rethinking Landscape: Environment, Place, and Heritage in British Music Studies’ this evening. It’ll be great to share some of my initial thoughts on developing a maritime-led framework for understanding global history.
Had an absolutely amazing time at the Connecticut Sea Music Festival. This is my second year attending and on both occasions I’ve been blown away by how supportive, encouraging and knowledgeable everyone is. Can’t wait to come back next year and do it all over again! #seashanties #maritimehistory
June 9, 2025 at 11:19 AM
Had an absolutely amazing time at the Connecticut Sea Music Festival. This is my second year attending and on both occasions I’ve been blown away by how supportive, encouraging and knowledgeable everyone is. Can’t wait to come back next year and do it all over again! #seashanties #maritimehistory
Made it down from Boston to the Connecticut Sea Music Festival. Especially looking forward to the Hugill paper from the fantastic shanty singer, Jerry Bryant! ⚓️ #seashanties #maritimehistory
June 6, 2025 at 12:52 PM
Made it down from Boston to the Connecticut Sea Music Festival. Especially looking forward to the Hugill paper from the fantastic shanty singer, Jerry Bryant! ⚓️ #seashanties #maritimehistory
In more publication news, my article on ‘Shanty singing in the Mediterranean’ has just been published in the Journal of the Hakluyt Society, if anyone fancies a read. #maritimehistory #SeaShanties #Mediterranean
www.hakluyt.com/journal-of-t...
www.hakluyt.com/journal-of-t...
Journal of the Hakluyt Society
The online Journal of the Hakluyt Society, which is a refereed journal, publishes occasional articles on navigation, exploration and similar topics.
www.hakluyt.com
June 4, 2025 at 5:10 PM
In more publication news, my article on ‘Shanty singing in the Mediterranean’ has just been published in the Journal of the Hakluyt Society, if anyone fancies a read. #maritimehistory #SeaShanties #Mediterranean
www.hakluyt.com/journal-of-t...
www.hakluyt.com/journal-of-t...
Publication news! This morning I signed the contract for my first book! *From Ship to Screen: The Cultural Legacy of Sea Shanties* is officially underway and will be published by Palgrave Macmillan in 2026. ⚓️ ⛵️ 🎶 #Shanties #FromShipToScreen #MaritimeHistory
June 4, 2025 at 5:57 AM
Publication news! This morning I signed the contract for my first book! *From Ship to Screen: The Cultural Legacy of Sea Shanties* is officially underway and will be published by Palgrave Macmillan in 2026. ⚓️ ⛵️ 🎶 #Shanties #FromShipToScreen #MaritimeHistory
Quick dash from the British Library to the Royal College of Music Museum to talk shanties for a new exhibition ⚓️ #maritimehistory #seashanties
May 19, 2025 at 3:32 PM
Quick dash from the British Library to the Royal College of Music Museum to talk shanties for a new exhibition ⚓️ #maritimehistory #seashanties
At the British Library today (with a horrendously overpriced coffee) for a meeting of the Abolition Song and Its Legacies research network. Looking forward to sharing my work on the maritime history of British abolition song and chattel slavery. #seasongs #maritimehistory #tinycoffee
May 19, 2025 at 8:03 AM
At the British Library today (with a horrendously overpriced coffee) for a meeting of the Abolition Song and Its Legacies research network. Looking forward to sharing my work on the maritime history of British abolition song and chattel slavery. #seasongs #maritimehistory #tinycoffee
🎉 Just booked my flights for the Connecticut Sea Music Festival in June!
Looks like there’ll be absolutely amazing papers at the symposium. Always some of the best shanty singing that I’ve come across live too. Can’t wait! #seashanties #seasongs #maritime
Looks like there’ll be absolutely amazing papers at the symposium. Always some of the best shanty singing that I’ve come across live too. Can’t wait! #seashanties #seasongs #maritime
April 14, 2025 at 5:54 PM
🎉 Just booked my flights for the Connecticut Sea Music Festival in June!
Looks like there’ll be absolutely amazing papers at the symposium. Always some of the best shanty singing that I’ve come across live too. Can’t wait! #seashanties #seasongs #maritime
Looks like there’ll be absolutely amazing papers at the symposium. Always some of the best shanty singing that I’ve come across live too. Can’t wait! #seashanties #seasongs #maritime
Giving a paper on shanty singing in the Mediterranean today at the University of Sousse for the Sea Songs of the Mediterranean conference. It’s a pleasure (though slightly intimidating) to open the conference. Can’t wait to hear the panel on maritime work song immediately afterwards too!
April 12, 2025 at 2:07 PM
Giving a paper on shanty singing in the Mediterranean today at the University of Sousse for the Sea Songs of the Mediterranean conference. It’s a pleasure (though slightly intimidating) to open the conference. Can’t wait to hear the panel on maritime work song immediately afterwards too!
Presented ‘A lesson in shanty singing through the ages’ at the British Forum for Ethnomusicology conference this morning at the University of Cambridge. It’s always such a delight to talk about the rich history of the shanty - an endlessly fascinating topic!
April 6, 2025 at 12:39 PM
Presented ‘A lesson in shanty singing through the ages’ at the British Forum for Ethnomusicology conference this morning at the University of Cambridge. It’s always such a delight to talk about the rich history of the shanty - an endlessly fascinating topic!
Had a great time talking about global perspectives on maritime song exchange and transmission at the University of Cambridge yesterday. Looking forward to giving another paper on shanty singing and performance at the BFE conference on Sunday 🎉
April 3, 2025 at 6:30 AM
Had a great time talking about global perspectives on maritime song exchange and transmission at the University of Cambridge yesterday. Looking forward to giving another paper on shanty singing and performance at the BFE conference on Sunday 🎉