This is a link to a photo book comprising a personal collection of images taken during Kristan's service with the United States Peace Corps in Mauritania, West Africa, between 1982 and 1984. Born in Colorado, USA, Kristan has held senior positions in the United Nations throughout her career. She has worked in a number of UN organisations, including UNAIDS, UNICEF, UNDP and WHO. In addition to her time in Mauritania, she has lived and worked in Niger, Pakistan, Ghana, Kenya, Botswana, Viet Nam and Switzerland. She and her husband Michael Leek now live on the West Coast of Scotland. https://www.blurb.co.uk/b/10261256-in-a-land-of-shifting-sands-images-of-mauritania

The Society for Nautical Research, founded in 1910, is the world’s premier maritime history society. It publishes The Mariner’s Mirror, the leading international journal of maritime history, and also plays an important role in preserving and promoting the maritime heritage of the UK. It was instrumental in saving Nelson’s flagship HMS Victory in 1922 and has been closely associated with her restoration ever since. The Society was also instrumental in founding the National Maritime Museum at Greenwich and the Royal Naval Museum at Portsmouth, now part of the National Museum of the Royal Navy. The SNR has a vibrant international membership of likeminded scholars and enthusiasts of all matters maritime. https://snr.org.uk

The NRS, founded in 1893, publishes in print and online rare and original documents on naval history. Since its foundation it has produced over 160 printed volumes. These constitute an invaluable source for students and scholars of naval history, with an emphasis on the Royal Navy. https://www.navyrecords.org.uk

Founded in 1868, the Royal Historical Society is a learned society of the United Kingdom, which advances scholarly studies of history. The society's membership comprises honorary vice-presidents, elected Fellows, Associate Fellows, and Members. The society exists to promote historical research in the United Kingdom and worldwide, representing historians of all kinds. Its activities primarily concern advocacy and policy research, training, publishing, grants and research support, especially for early career historians, and awards and professional recognition. https://royalhistsoc.org

The RUSI, founded in 1831, is the world’s oldest and the UK’s leading defence and security think tank. Its mission is to inform, influence and enhance public debate on a safer and more stable world. The RUSI is a research-led institute, producing independent, practical and innovative analysis to address today’s complex challenges. Together with revenue from research, publications and conferences, the RUSI has sustained its political independence for nearly two centuries. https://rusi.org

Founded in 1873, the USNI is the independent US forum for those who dare to read, think, speak, and write in order to advance the professional, literary, and scientific understanding of sea power and other issues critical to global security. The USNI is an independent, professional military association with a mission, goals, and objectives that transcend political affiliations. https://www.usni.org

The Royal Society for Arts, Manufactures and Commerce (RSA) was founded in 1754 and granted its Royal Charter by Queen Victoria in 1847. The RSA has been at the forefront of significant social impact for over 260 years. The RSA's proven change process, rigorous research, innovative ideas platforms and diverse global community of over 30,000 problem-solvers (the Fellowship), deliver solutions for lasting change. https://www.thersa.org

The RCA, founded in 1837, is the world's most influential postgraduate institution of art and design. It is the only entirely postgraduate art and design university in the world. https://www.rca.ac.uk

Marine Traffic is a global ship tracking website, primarily through AIS (Automatic Identification System). Under international maritime law, administered through the United Nation's International Maritime Organization (IMO), there is a requirement for all vessels over 300 gross tons to transmit their position via AIS receivers. (Marine Traffic has, to date, published over 1,000 of Michael’s ship photographs.) https://www.marinetraffic.com/en/photos/by/copyright:Michael%20Leek