AHRC-funded through the Northern Bridge Consortium Doctoral Training Partnership
This PhD project will explore changing historical cultural constructions of childhood in books for children, making creative responses to these constructions, and looking at contemporary children's understanding of them. The context is the Seven Stories collection, a major, unique primary resource incorporating material from c.1930 to date, including original artwork and writing by key creators such as Edward Ardizzone and Judith Kerr. It will map and respond to key changes in the illustration and writing of childhood in children's books through cultural analysis and creative practice, exploring changing materials, techniques and technologies, and the interaction and collaboration between those involved in the production process.
The PhD candidate will map cultural constructions of childhood during the historical period the collection covers and make creative responses to the materials via practical experimentation regarding illustration and writing in children's books. This will indicate how adults creating books for children depicted and understood childhood and what techniques and practices were involved. Further, the student's creative responses will become a stimulus for contemporary children's understanding of children's books, creativity and historical childhoods, so sharing research findings beyond academia.
We are seeking a candidate with a background in Cultural and Childhood Studies who has experience as a creative writer and/or illustrator. Supervision will involve guidance from experts on children's books and other media, and the creation of illustrated poetry, illustrated books and picture books. Moreover, the candidate will be able to work with specialist staff at Seven Stories in archival work, outreach and exhibition curation.
The deadline for applications through the Northumbria online portal is January 28th 2022. We expect to interview shortlisted candidates in February 2022. The studentship will be awarded to the successful applicant subject to ratification by the Northern Bridge Consortium studentship committee.
More information about this studentship and about the application process including eligibility criteria, can be found at:
https://www.northumbria.ac.uk/research/postgraduate-research-degrees/studentships/nbc-dtp/
Please note:
· Academic excellence of the proposed student i.e. 2:1 (or equivalent GPA from non-UK universities [preference for 1st class honours]); or a Masters (preference for Merit or above); or APEL evidence of substantial practitioner achievement.
· Appropriate IELTS score, if required.
· Applicants cannot apply for this funding if currently engaged in Doctoral study at Northumbria or elsewhere.
The Northumbria University application form can be found at
https://www.northumbria.ac.uk/research/postgraduate-research-degrees/how-to-apply/
Applications that do not include a research proposal of approximately 1,000 words (not a copy of the advert), or that do not include the advert reference NBC-CDA22/SWECW/GIBSON will not be considered.
Start Date: 1 October 2022
Northumbria University takes pride in, and values, the quality and diversity of our staff and students. We welcome applications from all members of the community.
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