The James Henry Green PhD scholarship is available to students wishing to pursue doctoral research within the History of Art department at the University of Sussex. The three-year scholarship covers University tuition fees* and an annual book award of 1000 pounds.
The scholarship is offered by the James Henry Green Charitable Trust through the James Green Centre for World Art at Royal Pavilion & Museums, Brighton. The purpose of the award is to build and share knowledge about the Museum's rich holdings of material and visual culture from Africa, Asia, the Pacific and Americas. For this reason the main requirement of the award is that the proposed doctoral research project considers some aspect of the World Art collection. Other requirements include a yearly report and, at some point during the scholarship, a public outcome for staff and visitors to Brighton Museum (for example a talk, display or web article about the research project).
The World Art collection
The James Green Centre for World Art is responsible for the care and development of a Designated** collection of over 12,000 objects and images from Africa, Asia, the Pacific and Americas. The collection encompasses objects in a wide range of media and represents many different geographies and time periods; from Peruvian archaeological textiles to late 20th-century barbers' signboards from Kenya. Many items in the collection were sold or donated by people associated with Britain's former colonies and so these areas are particularly well represented. West Africa and South and South East Asia, for example, are areas of strength but the collection also includes important and rare material from southern Africa, China, North America and the Pacific.
Possible approaches
While the Centre welcomes research proposals which take a traditional object-based approach to the collection, it would also like to encourage work which situates the material in wider contexts. This might include research which addresses:
- the complex networks of dealers, salerooms and collectors, which, particularly in the late 19th century, enabled museums such as that at Brighton to accumulate collections of 'non-western' material
- changing modes for the display and interpretation of 'non-western' material culture
- the role of particular individuals in forming collections and displays
- the role of source communities in forming collections: both historically and looking to the future
- the role of historic collections in the context of contemporary cultural politics
- how collections material functioned in its 'original' context(s), for example items made for courtly or religious use
- issues of post-colonialism
- issues around gender or class and collecting
Eligibility
Applicants should hold, or expect to obtain, a masters degree in a subject relevant to the studentship.
Availability
There is currently one scholarship available for a part-time student. The scholarships become available again once the existing scholars complete their studies.
Application Process
Please submit:
- A CV detailing your academic history and work experience relevant to the studentship. Please note that experience working in a museum or an historic house is not necessary to be considered for the studentship.
- A 500-word statement, headed by the title of the project and the studentship for which you are applying, that describes:
- How you have formulated your research project and how you see it developing in the context of the project
- Your preparation and experience. - Two academic references, to be sent directly to the University.
All documentation should be addressed to: Postgraduate Convenor, Art History Department, University of Sussex, Brighton BN1 9RH.
Deadline
The deadline for receipt of applications is 1st September in the year you will commence your studies. For example, a student starting their course in October 2010 will need to have submitted their application by 1st September 2010.
Selection Process
Interviews will be held in September.
Further information
For further information please contact Professor Maurice Howard (Professor of History of Art). Tel: +44 1273 606755 ext. 2218
Email: M.Howard@sussex.ac.uk
The Keeper and Curator of World Art are happy to facilitate access to collections and collections information for those individuals looking to develop a research proposal.
Helen Mears, Keeper of World Art Tel: 01273 292863 Email: helen.mears@brighton-hove.gov.uk
*International students are welcome to apply for the scholarship but we regret that we can only pay the equivalent of 'home' student tuition fees.
** The Designation scheme was launched in 1997 by Resource (now the Museum, Libraries & Archives Council) to identify and celebrate the pre-eminent collections of national and international importance held in England's non-national museums.
