The Royal Observatory, Greenwich, and its networks of support and influence, 1675-1742
Deadline: 7 May 2018, 17:00
Supervisors: Dr Rebekah Higgitt (Senior Lecturer in History of Science, School of History, University of Kent) and Dr Richard Dunn (Senior Curator for the History of Science at the National Maritime Museum)
The Project
We seek applications from outstanding postgraduate students for this collaborative doctoral award, starting in September 2017. This project aims to develop a new approach to the institutional history of the Royal Observatory, Greenwich. Using the Observatory as a central hub, it proposes to explore the local, national and international networks of astronomy, practical mathematics, navigation, education, print and instrument making that supported its work and developing reputation. It will focus on the period of the first two Astronomers Royal, John Flamsteed and Edmond Halley, aiming to better understand the role, milieu and development of this key institution in its foundational years. This research will draw on work on geographies of knowledge, material culture and book history in order to gain a fuller picture of contexts in which mathematical and instrumental knowledge was developed and used. The project will make use of a range of archival sources and object, book and image collections, especially those of the NMM. The student will have the opportunity to enhance the Museum’s cataloguing and interpretation within public programming and displays, and to feed into the development of plans for the 350th anniversary of the Royal Observatory (2025-26), which forms part of the NMM (collectively, with The Queen’s House and Cutty Sark, known as Royal Museums Greenwich). They will also be able to contribute to Dr Higgitt’s research project, Metropolitan Science: Places, Objects and Cultures of Knowledge and Practice in London, 1600-1800, in partnership with the Science Museum.
Studentship information
The standard tuition fees and stipend (maintenance grant) will be paid by the AHRC to the award holder subject to the eligibility criteria outlined by them. The AHRC stipend for 2018/19 is £14,777 (full-time, pro-rata for part-time) plus an additional stipend of £500 for Collaborative Doctoral Students. The funding is for 3 years (full time) and there is an opportunity to apply for an additional six months of funding from the AHRC’s Student Development Fund, which can (subject to agreement) be used to support appropriate training or a placement based on the student’s individual training needs. The NMM will also provide £1000 per year for three years (subject to agreement) to support the student’s research-related expenses such as travel costs.
To apply:
Applicants should have: a First Class or Upper Second Class Honours degree in an appropriate discipline; a masters degree in an appropriate discipline, although applicants who do not hold a masters degree will be considered if they can demonstrate sustained and relevant experience and meet the criteria outlined in the AHRC guidelines.
Candidates must meet the AHRC's academic criteria and eligibility criteria: AHRC.
To apply please send the following by email as a single document (Word or PDF) to r.higgitt@kent.ac.uk.
Candidates must meet the AHRC's academic criteria and eligibility criteria: AHRC.
To apply please send the following by email as a single document (Word or PDF) to r.higgitt@kent.ac.uk.
- A cover letter.
- A current CV, including your academic qualifications to date and anticipated results if you are still studying.
- Two letters of academic reference to be included with the rest of your application.
The deadline for applications is 17.00 on Monday 7 May. Shortlisted applicants will be asked to supply a writing sample on a related topic. Interviews will likely be held on 3 July.
For further information please contact Rebekah Higgitt r.higgitt@kent.ac.uk or Richard Dunn RDunn@rmg.co.uk.
https://www.kent.ac.uk/scholarships/search/FN05AHRCNM02
Dr Rebekah Higgitt | Senior Lecturer in History of Science
Centre for the History of the Sciences | School of History
W2.W6 Rutherford College | University of Kent | Canterbury | Kent CT2 7NX
Web: http://www.kent.ac.uk/history/staff/profiles/higgitt.html
