PhD studentship: cultural memory, wellbeing and the arts, and critical practices / expression of interest by 30 September 2024

[Michael Pritchard]

The Centre for Arts, Memory and Communities at Coventry University extends an invitation for expressions of interest from candidates wishing to apply for a funded PhD studentship supported by the AHRC Midlands 4 Cities (M4C) consortium. These prestigious, competitive studentships offer a fee waiver and a maintenance grant for 3.5 years (full time) or 7 years (part time), as well as access to unparalleled training, additional funding, and networking. The Centre is particularly interested in potential candidates wishing to study photography history and cultural memory (from 1839 onwards), for example in remediation through film, television, and popular culture

Our aim is to work with a small number of applicants to help them prepare to submit an application to the M4C for a January 2025 deadline. There are therefore no guarantees, but successful applicants would start PhD study in September 2025.

We welcome expressions of interest in any of the fields represented by CAMC:

• Cultural Memory: Research within the cultural memory strand is concerned with the importance and meanings of sites, monuments, museums, art-works, objects, images and texts in shaping histories and identities of memory and belonging across cultures, with a core focus on transnational memory contexts.    
• Wellbeing and the Arts: This strand draws together researchers from various disciplines (including art, design, photography, literature and history) who are interested in the contribution creative subjects can make to the understanding and promotion of health, wellbeing and inclusion.  
• Critical Practices: The Critical Practices strand brings together practitioner-researchers in the fields of visual arts, the curatorial, and performance arts interested in working across disciplines and exploring innovative and speculative interdisciplinary enquiries that address and intervene in the world around us.  

Eligibility:

• Open to UK and International applicants
• Applicants must hold a Masters qualification (or be nearing completion), or relevant professional experience

We advise that candidates check carefully the detailed guidance to ensure they are eligible:

• M4C Guidance is available here
• Coventry University eligibility criteria are available here

All expressions of interest should be addressed to [e-mail], with the subject line ‘CAMC EoI’. In your email, please include:

• A summary of your academic background and CV;
• A summary of your research interests and proposed PhD project, including:
  • Your research questions and a brief explanation of their importance and significance;
  • A brief summary of the relevant literature that has informed your proposed project;
  • The methodology you might use, and why.
• An indication of potential supervisor(s). A list of academic specialists in the Centre for Arts, Memory and Communities can be found here.

Deadline for Expressions of Interest: Monday 30 September 2024
Deadline for Submission of Applications: 10 January 2025