Funding priorities can concentrate historical research in particular periods and subjects. The example anticipates a wave of age-of-sail books because that is where research money is said to be concentrating. Robert Peel, other early British prime ministers and their use of naval diplomacy are identified as subjects likely to receive more attention. This is a forecast about research incentives made during the discussion. Audience-supported work is offered as an alternative way to pursue less fashionable subjects, with U-class submarines, Flower-class corvettes and Admiral Henderson among the examples.
Notable Point · 4:31:23-4:33:12
How research funding shapes the naval-history books that appear
Concentrated grants can shape later publication trends, while audience funding can give a historian room to pursue different subjects.