The Commonwealth War Graves Commission, Commemoration and International Relations

Applications are invited for a 3-year PhD Studentship (stipend and fees) in the history subject area. 

Original PhD proposals relating to any aspect of the project title, ‘The Commonwealth War Graves Commission, Commemoration and International Relations’ will be considered. 

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) and other commemorative organisations have always operated in an international arena. Not only are the war cemeteries scattered globally, but the dead themselves represent a diverse range of nationalities. There has hitherto been limited academic research into the complex international relationships that have developed out of the work of the various war graves commissions. Instead, when exploring the history of post-conflict relations, the focus has tended to be on the role of politicians and diplomats or even supranational organisations such as the UN or the EU. This PhD project will go some way into shifting the focus onto the diplomatic work of the war graves commissions.

Possible areas for a PhD candidate to investigate include, but are not limited to: 

• The rituals and ceremonies held in cemeteries, and the role of the visitor to these sites. 
• The planning and construction of cemeteries on foreign soil. 
• Cemeteries as multinational spaces, where different groups of dead lie in close proximity. North Africa, Belgium or France would offer considerable potential as case studies. 
• Organisational relations within the CWGC’s membership or across commemoration organisations, such as the work of the Anglo-German-French Mixed Committee. 
• The historical relevance of commemoration. 

This is a collaborative project with the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. It is likely, therefore, that much of the research will be conducted in the CWGC’s Maidenhead archive as well as in the National Archives, Kew alongside regional collections.

Qualifications & Eligibility  

A good undergraduate degree (minimum 2:1) and a Masters’ qualification in a relevant discipline. 

Unfortunately, due to the restrictions of visa and funding deadlines, if you are an international student and will require a visa to study, we are unable to consider your application. 

Application process 

A completed University of Chester Postgraduate Research Degree application form including contact details of two referees. Apply online by clicking the button below and quoting reference number as above. Please select ‘History’ as your research area when completing your application. 

Candidates should also attach a research proposal. This should be arranged under the following headings and should be no more than 1,500 words in length:  

• Title 
• Research Questions 
• Objectives 
• Existing Knowledge 
• Methodology 
• References 

Further information 

Prospective applicants are encouraged to initially contact Professor Tim Grady ([Email Address Removed]) to discuss the project further. For general enquiries contact Postgraduate Research Admissions, University of Chester at [Email Address Removed]