CALL FOR PHD APPLICATIONS
REJECTING AND RECYCLING THE PAST IN REFORMATION CANTERBURY
AHRC/CHASE COLLABORATIVE DOCTORAL AWARD PHD STUDENTSHIP IN COLLABORATION WITH UNIVERSITY OF KENT AND CANTERBURY CATHEDRAL
Due by Friday 13 January 2023, 12:00 PM GMT (7:00 AM ET)
Qualification type: PhD
Location: University of Kent, Canterbury
Funding for: UK Students / International Students
Funding amount: fees and stipend at AHRC rates (for the current academic year 2022-23, the stipend rate is £18,218 - This includes enhanced stipend to cover additional travel costs relating to the project. Please note: this funding amount typically increases with inflation each academic year. The award will cover UK or international fees.
The studentship
This collaborative doctoral award will allow one student to intervene in an emerging new humanities discipline, working at a World Heritage Site. Funded by CHASE, it is a collaboration between the Centre for Medieval and Early Modern Studies at the University of Kent and the Archives and Library at Canterbury Cathedral.
Background
This project takes an historical perspective on two issues of urgent present-day importance: the impulse or imperative to destroy certain cultural artefacts (iconoclasm) and the countervailing need to reuse and recycle. The historical lens is the sixteenth century when the destruction wrought by the Dissolution of the Monasteries was met with a concern to salvage and redeploy what remained. Canterbury Cathedral has many witnesses to this in its Archives and Library: fragments of medieval manuscripts reused in the sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries.‘Fragmentology’ is a developing discipline in its own right, and one which can disrupt existing narratives by introducingnew evidence and fresh eyes. This award will place the successful candidate at the heart of this transformative work.
The candidate
We encourage applications from a diverse range of candidates. Training in the core skills of palaeography and codicology, as well as in Latin, will be provided as required.
While a substantial number of fragments in the Cathedral’s collections have been identified, there remain many that have not been. The first task of the student, therefore, will be to explore and excavate the collections for relevant examples. The student will be given full training in identifying, recording and analysing the fragments. The student will be encouraged to consider these fragments as evidence as wider cultures of discarding and salvaging. The student will also be encouraged to consider how to make this materials of interest not only to academic but also to wider audiences.
In terms of qualifications and training, having gained or be about to gain either a MA or professional experience in a relevant area would be welcome but, if that does not describe you, do not be discouraged: if you are interested, do contact the lead supervisor (see below).
How to apply
Applications for this studentship must be made via the University of Kent application form https://www.kent.ac.uk/scholarships
Terms and conditions
The studentship is subject to UKRI eligibility criteria, and will cover home or EU fees and stipend at UKRI rates for a maximum of four years full-time, or eight years part-time study, subject to institutional regulations.
Informal Enquiries
Potential candidates are encouraged to make informal enquiries, contacting the lead supervisor, Dr David Rundle D.G.Rundle@kent.ac.uk