Professor Jonathan Rayner, of the School of English, has been shortlisted for the Maritime Media 2025 Best Book Award for his latest monograph, Screening the Fleet: The Representation of the Royal Navy in Film and Television since 1945.
Published as an open access title by White Rose University Press, the book explores how Britain’s naval identity has been portrayed on screen, tracing the complex relationship between maritime power, national culture, and the moving image. Screening the Fleet is available to read and download via White Rose University Press.
The Maritime Media Awards, presented annually since 1995, celebrate those who work to raise awareness of the UK’s enduring relationship with the sea. The Best Book Award recognises the author whose work has most significantly contributed to public engagement with maritime issues.
Reflecting on the themes of the book, Professor Rayner said that “the Royal Navy has ongoing cultural relevance and significance to our society. The change in its portrayal on television over the last 50 years shows how the Navy, and how it presents itself, has changed over this period. It also shines a light on the changing way society consumes information, and on where institutions like the Navy sit in the national consciousness.”
Professor Rayner’s nomination highlights the impact of his research in connecting cultural representation with Britain’s maritime heritage, and showcases the value of open access scholarship in reaching global audiences.