We are thrilled to announce that Dr Johanne Marie Skov (History PhD, 2024) has been awarded the 2024 British International History Group (BIHG) Michael Dockrill Memorial Thesis Prize.

The prize, which honours the memory of the eminent historian, Michael Lawrence Dockrill (1936–2018), and is awarded annually to the best doctoral thesis on any aspect and any period of International History.

Dr Skov’s thesis ‘How to Land an Aircraft Deal: Western intra-Bloc Rivalry, Saudi Agency, and British Revival in the Cold War Middle East, 1979–1985’ (co-supervised by Prof Marco Wyss and Dr Thomas Mills) explores how it was possible for Britain to win the Al Yamamah arms deal, where Britain sold Tornado fighter jets to Saudi Arabia.

'This is indeed a significant thesis', Prof Wyss emphasised, 'because it convincingly demonstrates the geopolitical and geostrategic relevance of arms transfers, as well as their role for national and regional security.'

In addition to an award of £200, Dr Skov will be invited to present her research at the forthcoming BIHG annual conference in Belfast in June 2025.