In 2018 the BIHG were saddened by the death of Michael Dockrill, a former Chair of the Group and one of the country’s foremost international historians As an gesture of recognition, the committee decided to rename the BIHG thesis prize as ‘The Michael Dockrill Prize’. It was felt this was particularly appropriate given the prodigious number of PhD theses Michael Dockrill either supervised or examined over his career.

The thesis is judged by a Panel drawn from members of the BIHG Committee and the winner will receive £300. The BIHG seeks to encourage, promote, and commend doctoral research in international history. It defines that field of study broadly to reflect its evolution in the British academy and beyond. Hence, it looks to recognise and celebrate in the Michael Dockrill Thesis Prize, theses based on empirical research which make significant interventions in the historiography of international history, particularly the history of foreign policies and foreign relations involving states, or non-state actors, international institutions and international affairs, in war and peace. The Thesis Prize will be awarded to a thesis which exhibits the most outstanding features in these categories, as demonstrated by the past winners. In judging the competition, therefore, the Panel pay particular attention to originality of approach, thoroughness of research, style of writing and presentation, and contribution to historical scholarship in the sub-field of international history.

Previous winners include:

• Dr Johanne Marie Skov, 'How to Land an Aircraft Deal: Western intra-Bloc Rivalry, Saudi Agency, and British Revival in the Cold War Middle East, 1979-1985' (Lancaster University)
• Dr Eline van Ommen, 'Sandinistas Go Global: Nicaragua and Western Europe, 1977-1990 (London School of Economics)
• Dr Mathias Haeussler, ‘Helmut Schmidt and Anglo-German Relations, 1974-1982’ (University of Cambridge)
• Dr Quincy R Cloet, 'Truth Seekers or Power Brokers? The League of Nations and its Commissions of Inquiry,' (Aberystwyth University)
• Dr Abhijit Sarkar 'Beyond Famines: Wartime State, Society, and the Politicization of Food in Colonial India, 1939-1945' (University of Oxford).

The deadline for submissions for the Michael Dockrill Thesis Prize is Saturday 31 May 2025. Individuals wishing to be considered for the prize, and who have achieved their PhD during calendar year 2024, should email a PDF copy of their thesis to Dr Martin Folly.  For very large files, it might be necessary to use a file transfer service such as WeTransfer.

1. The thesis prize is awarded annually with a prize fund of £300.
2. Only theses awarded a doctoral degree by a United Kingdom University or University College or College of Higher Education are eligible for consideration.
3. The thesis can be on any aspect and period of International History.
4. The competition will be judged by a Panel drawn from members and officers of the BIHG Committee.
5. The final submission date is normally the end of May of the year following the award of the doctoral degree.
6. The doctoral degree must be awarded during the calendar year preceding the award of the prize. Candidates should include a copy of the correspondence from their university or college which confirms the award of the degree.