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  Parliamentary Empire: British Democracy and Settler Colonialism, c.1867-1939 PhD studentship - History


   College of Humanities

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  Prof David Thackeray  No more applications being accepted  Competition Funded PhD Project (Students Worldwide)

About the Project

Applications are invited for a PhD studentship as part of a Leverhulme funded project examining the role of Parliament in the UK and the settler-colonial 'British World' between the 1860s and 1930s, shedding light on the connected debates about democratic governance and political inclusion within a fractious British Empire.

Parliamentary Empire examines the role of Parliament in civic life in the UK and the settler-colonial 'British World' between the 1860s and 1930s. By exploring how different groups appealed to values of British parliamentarianism, we shed new light on the connected debates about democratic governance and political inclusion that characterised the emergence of nations within a fractious British Empire.

Our project takes up debates over political inclusion, participation, and deliberation across connected imperial contexts. Whereas existing studies focus on national histories, we undertake a systematic, archive-based study involving (among other sources) digitised newspapers, petitions to parliament, and records of parliamentary debates. These approaches will provide wider insight into how different audiences in the UK and the settler colonies understood and negotiated a shared parliamentary culture nonetheless crosscut by projects of exclusion and racial segregation.

We welcome applications from candidates with interests in nineteenth and twentieth century British imperial history; Canadian, Australian, New Zealand, and Southern African history; parliamentary history; women’s history; political history and the history of political cultures; and settler colonialism and its global challengers. Successful candidates will be required to produce a research proposal on a relevant topic across the project remit (c.1867-1939), such as parliamentary practices, debates about the citizenship of settlers or indigenous people, international assemblies, national and international women’s organisations, resistance to settler colonialism, and changing ideas of democratic self-government in the British Empire and connected spheres.

This Leverhulme Trust funded project is organised by colleagues based at the Departments of History at the Universities of Exeter and York. There are two PhD positions on the project, the York studentship has already been filled. Both students will receive joint supervision from Dr. Behm and Prof. Thackeray.

For more information about the project and informal enquiries, please contact the primary supervisor for the Exeter studentship Prof. David Thackeray

Entry Requirements

You should have achieved at least a 2:1 Honours degree, or international equivalent, in a relevant field such as Modern History or Politics and have obtained, or be currently working towards, a Master’s degree at Merit level or international equivalent, in a relevant field such as Modern History or Politics. Experience in Digital Humanities is desirable.

If English is not your first language you will need to meet the English language requirements and provide proof of proficiency. Click here for more information and a list of acceptable alternative tests.

Please note that this studentship is only open to applicants who have yet to start their doctoral study.

This studentship, including full tuition fees and maintenance allowance, is available to UK and International candidates.

EU and International students can apply and pay the difference in tuition fees.

How to apply

To apply please visit the website https://www.exeter.ac.uk/study/funding/award/?id=4349

Closing date for applications is midnight Thursday 5th January 2022. Interviews will be held remotely week commencing 17th January 2022.

Please quote reference 4349 on your application and in any correspondence about this studentship.

For general information about this studentship and the application process, please contact [Email Address Removed].


Geography (17) History & Archaeology (19) Languages, Literature & Culture (21) Law (22) Philosophy (28) Politics & Government (30)

Funding Notes

UK tuition fees and an annual maintenance allowance at current Research Council rate of £15,609 per year (2021/22 rate)

Where will I study?