PhD Scholarship in Tibetan Buddhist Collections
(AHRC Collaborative Doctoral Partnership (CDP) studentship at the University of Manchester- Decolonising the Sacred: Acknowledging the colonial experiences of Tibetan Buddhist collections in the British Museum)
- Anticipated start date for project: 1 October 2021
- Closing date for applications: 12.00pm (12:00hr) BST 25th June 2021
- Interviews will take place on 2nd July 2021
Information about the project:
The University of Manchester and the British Museum are pleased to announce the availability of a fully-funded Collaborative doctoral studentship from October 2021 under the AHRC’s Collaborative Doctoral Partnership Scheme.
Working with the Tibet collections at the British Museum, the project offers an opportunity for a student to challenge and decentre established methods for conducting histories of colonial collecting research by centring and reading for Tibetan knowledge and experiences in museum collections and archives.
The student will have the opportunity to devise their own project with supervisory guidance and consultation of the British Museum’s Tibet collections and associated archives. It is likely that the project will consider one or more of the following approaches:
- Research the roots and continuing legacy of the BM’s colonial connections to Tibetan sites of knowledge production, specifically Tibetan Buddhist monasteries;
- Identify an indigenous/decolonial methodology that reconsiders the classification and documentation of a group of Tibetan Buddhist objects acquired during the British colonial period.
In addition to developing research and writing skills the student will have the opportunity to gain practical skills in collections management, installing exhibitions, community consultation; delivering workshops; contributing to seminars and grant writing. This project will prepare the student for a future career in the cultural sector.
The project will be jointly supervised by Dr Emma Martin (University of Manchester, Institute for Cultural Practices) and Dr Imma Ramos (British Museum, Asia Department) and the student will be expected to spend time at both the University of Manchester and the British Museum, as well as becoming part of the wider cohort of CDP funded students across the UK.
The successful candidate will be eligible to participate in CDP Cohort Development events.
Qualifications Applicants should have/expected to receive:
- We encourage the widest range of potential students to study for this CDP studentship and are committed to welcoming students from different backgrounds to apply. We particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian, Indigenous and Ethnic backgrounds who are currently underrepresented at this level in this area.
- Students should have a Masters-level degree in a relevant subject or be able to demonstrate equivalent experience in a professional setting.
- Applicants must be able to demonstrate an interest in the museum sector and potential and enthusiasm for developing skills more widely in related areas.
NB. All applicants must meet UKRI terms and conditions for funding. See: https://www.ukri.org/funding/information-for-award-holders/grant-terms-and-conditions/
Amount of funding available and eligibility:
CDP doctoral training grants fund full-time studentships for 45 months (3.75 years) or part-time equivalent. The studentship has the possibility of being extended for an additional 3 months to provide professional development opportunities, or up to 3 months of funding may be used to pay for the costs the student might incur in taking up professional development opportunities.
The award pays tuition fees up to the value of the full-time home UKRI rate for PhD degrees. Research Councils UK Indicative Fee Level for 2021/22 is £4,500. *
The award pays full maintenance for all students both home and international students. This will be £17,159 for 2021/22 (Based on National Minimum Doctoral Stipend for 2021/22 is £15,609, *plus a CDP maintenance payment of £550/year and a part London allowance of £1000 a year as the British Museum is in London).
Further details can be found on the UKRI website: https://www.ukri.org/skills/funding-for-research-training/
The student is eligible to receive additional travel and related expenses grant during the course of the project courtesy of the British Museum worth up to £1000 per year for four years.
The project can be undertaken on a full-time or part-time basis.
Nationality restriction:
This studentship is open to both Home and International applicants.
To be classed as a home student, candidates must meet the following criteria:
- Be a UK National (meeting residency requirements), or
- Have settled status, or
- Have pre-settled status (meeting residency requirements), or
- Have indefinite leave to remain or enter
Further guidance can be found here – https://www.ukri.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/UKRI-030221-Guidance-International-Eligibility-Implementation-training-grant-holders-V2.pdf
Contact for further information:
Informal enquiries regarding the award can be addressed to Dr Emma Martin. Email: emma.martin-2@manchester.ac.uk
How to apply:
Applicants should email emma.martin-2@manchester.ac.uk the following by 25 June 2021 at 12 pm (12:00) BST:
- A CV (max. 2 pages) including two named referees, one of whom should be your most recent academic tutor/supervisor if currently or recently a student.
- Copy of first degree and Master’s degree transcripts (or anticipated grade if applicable);
- A sample of your strongest written work (up to 6,000 words maximum);
- Letter of application (max. 2 pages) outlining your suitability for the studentship and how you would anticipate approaching the research. This should include the research questions that you would focus on and the way in which you would develop them.
If shortlisted, you will be asked to apply formally for a PhD place at the University of Manchester. Instructions will follow.