18 March 2026
Project will explore foundations of British slavery
A major new research project exploring the political and economic foundations of British slavery has been awarded funding by a leading foundation.
The project, led by Dr John Meadowcroft, aims to bring new perspectives from the fields of public choice theory and entangled political economy to the study of Britain’s historical participation in plantation slavery and the transatlantic slave trade.
The John Templeton Foundation has awarded a grant of £278,000 to support the project, which is set to run from September 2026 to May 2029 (Grant ID 63820).
Dr Meadowcroft, from the Department of Political Economy at King’s, said: “The findings will be presented in a major new book offering a systematic, evidence-based account of how political institutions helped sustain and expand British slavery.
“Alongside the book, the project will reach wider audiences through a podcast series and an online learning course, making the research accessible to students, educators, and the public.”
A programme of public and private events will also bring the findings to policymakers, journalists, and opinion leaders, with Dr Meadowcroft aiming to broaden debate about the historical relationship between slavery, markets, and the state.
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