Applications are invited for a Scholarship in the Faculty of Arts, University of Plymouth for postgraduate research (MPhil/PhD) specialising in Art History and commencing on 1 October 2008. We welcome proposals whose research topics engage with aspects of the history of art and visual culture from the eighteenth century to the present, including museological research, the Western appropriation of World Cultures and art theory. We particularly welcome proposals from well-qualified applicants in the following areas of our expertise:
- British art c.1700 to the present
- Viennese Modernism
- The reception of the old masters
- The Western interaction with ‘World Cultures’
- Aspects of museology
- Art criticism and theory
The Scholarship (comprising UK/EU fees plus a maintenance grant – currently£12,940.00 per annum) will be awarded to a new, full time student for 3 years (subject to satisfactory progress). Applications from non-UK/EU students are welcome, with the expectation that funds have been secured to meet the difference in fee level.
Our Art History department was rated 5 in the last RAE and details of its staff, its expertise and its research activities can be found on the Art History WebPages: http://www.plymouth.ac.uk/pages/view.asp?page=21419
Person Specification:
The successful applicant will have a good first degree, preferably an MA, MRes or equivalent experience in a relevant discipline, and will need to show potential to develop a range of appropriate advanced research skills. Applications will be assessed on a competitive basis to reflect academic merit. We are concerned not only with the originality, viability and quality of the research proposal but also, importantly, with
its relevance and potential contribution to our research community.
How to Apply:
Applications should be made on a University of Plymouth Postgraduate Study application form. Please complete, sign and return your application form by post to the following address:
The Faculty of Arts Research & Graduate Affairs Office, Roland Levinsky Building, University of Plymouth, Drake Circus, Plymouth PL4 8AA. PLEASE DO NOT RETURN TO POSTGRADUATE ADMISSIONS AS STATED ON THE FORM
In Section 1 of the form (‘Programme of Study’) please write ‘Art History Scholarship’. Your application should include a 500 word summary of your chosen topic of study (in Section 8). Although you must provide names and details of two referees (Section 11), these will only be taken up if you are shortlisted for the Scholarship.
All shortlisted applicants will be invited for interview in Plymouth (to be held between 7 and 18 April 2008). If you are unavailable on any of these dates, please let us know when you submit your application. Non-UK applicants may be interviewed by video-conferencing.
Closing date for applications is 7 March 2008.
Postgraduate Research in the Faculty of Arts:
The Faculty of Arts comprises three Schools: Humanities; Architecture & Design; Art & Media.
Art History is part of the School of Humanities. The Art History MPhil/PhD community is the biggest in the Faculty and currently numbers 16 research students.
All postgraduate students are provided with a Director of Studies and at least one other supervisor, with whom they will work closely in developing their chosen projects. All supervisory team members are active researchers in their field and are well-placed to provide relevant and strong support.
Students are registered for an MPhil in the first instance and, subject to appropriate progress, may transfer to PhD status after one year (full time) or two years (part time).
All our students benefit from a programme of research skills training (provided by both the Faculty and the University’s Graduate Skills Development Programme), professional development workshops, symposia, guest lectures, and staff/student seminars. All new MPhil students are required to complete a credit-rated module in Interdisciplinary Research Skills in the Arts & Humanities in order to transfer to PhD status.
All students (whether part-time or full time) are expected to be available during term-time to spend at least 6 weeks (that is, 216 hours) per academic year, at the University or other negotiated locations for the purposes of research training, skills development, or working on research projects. This is in order to engage with activities such as attending tutorials, meetings, seminars, workshops, training events, symposia, lectures; delivering presentations; doing research in libraries or archives or creative work in studios, etc. (to be negotiated between the student and supervisors).
In addition to postgraduate research in the History of Art, the wider research student community within the Faculty includes students in the following areas:
- English and Creative Writing
- History
- Drama, Dance and the Performing Arts
- Architecture and the Built Environment
- Art and Design
- Interdisciplinary Research in Arts, Humanities and Creative Industries
We encourage and foster cross- and interdisciplinary research and practice and value both ‘traditional’ and ‘practice-based’ forms of scholarship. All postgraduate research students take part in an innovative interdisciplinary research training series and are encouraged to attend meetings of any research seminar group in the Faculty.
For Further Information:
To informally discuss your proposal for research and how it might correspond with our expertise, please contact Professor Sam Smiles: s.smiles@plymouth.ac.uk.
For further information about how to apply for this opportunity, please contact Susan Matheron, Senior Research Administrator, Faculty of Arts, University of Plymouth, Drake Circus, Plymouth PL4 8AA.
email: susan.matheron@plymouth.ac.uk.
telephone: 01752-585030.
For general information on the Faculty of Arts, please visit our website: www.plymouth.ac.uk/arts
