PhD Studentships
For the last 15 years, supported by the AHRC, the Society has hosted PhD students working collaboratively on the Collections. Currently, this is supported through the Science Museums and Archives Consortium (SMAC) (along with the Science Museum Group Museums, BT Archives, the Royal Society, and Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew). All projects involve a collaboration between a university-based researcher and the staff and (archive) materials at one of the CDP consortium institutions. We also partner with other Doctoral Training Partnerships.
At the Society, we are keen to encourage proposals for PhD projects within the remit of AHRC that relate to the Society’s Collections, current strategy, opportunities afforded by the Wiley Digital Archives digitisation project, and engagement with new audiences. We encourage any prospective applicants to look at the projects currently supported and earlier Collections-based projects including Crossing Continents and Hidden Histories of Exploration.
Propose a studentship
In spring 2023, SMAC received funding to support nine studentships over three years, with the first cohort of students starting from October 2024. Applications are now open for proposals from prospective supervisors, for projects starting in autumn 2024. Those applying to SMAC for a project involving the RGS-IBG are strongly encouraged to submit a parallel application to their local DTP or other equivalent schemes (where applicable).
Please contact Dr Sarah Evans at s.evans@rgs.org to discuss potential applications before submitting these to SMAC.
SMAC operates a two-stage application process: Stage 1) expression of interest and brief case for support; Stage 2) full application.
The deadline for submitting an expression of interest to SMAC is 12 noon on Friday 29 September. Projects will be prioritised which benefit the SMAC organisations in multiple areas and/or speak to the identified research priorities. Full details of these, along with timelines and an application form are available here.
Find out more