University of Nottingham and the National Trust

The School of Education, in collaboration with the National Trust, invites applications for an Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) Collaborative Doctoral Studentship on Residential adult education, Spirit and the ‘New Age’: Sir George Trevelyan and the Shropshire Adult Education College at Attingham 1946-76. The project, supervised by Professor John Holford and Dr Sarah Speight, commences 1 October 2013.

Attingham Hall, a Georgian mansion near Shrewsbury owned by the National Trust since 1947, housed the Shropshire Adult Education College 1946-1976. One of many short-term residential colleges for adults set up after 1945 and modelled on Danish Folk High Schools, the College aimed to generate spirit and values of community and co-operation. Its charismatic principal, Sir George Trevelyan, was a leading exponent of ‘spiritual’ courses; the College was important in the early development of ‘New Age’ thinking and the organic food and farming movement.

Attingham is a dynamic, flagship property with increasing visitor numbers (6^th most visited) and an enthusiastic multi-disciplinary team. It is leading the way in public engagement and an inclusive approach to its work via exemplary conservation-in-action. The project will involve archival research, oral history, public engagement for data collection, interpretation and education, and production of theoretically-informed historical narratives. The award holder will be located at Attingham for approximately 18 months and will work closely with the NT team (staff and volunteers) there and nationally.

For more information about Attingham see http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/attingham-park.

For full project details see http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/education/prospective/researchdegrees/funding.aspx.

Professor John Holford and Dr Sarah Speight are based in the School of Education, a leading centre for research with an international reputation for excellence. In the 2013 QS World University Rankings for Education, the School was ranked 26^th in the world, and 6^th in UK. The 2008 Research Assessment Exercise also ranked it 6th in the UK (see http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/research/documents/researchassessmentexercisebrochure.pdf).

Nottingham’s Education PhD students are part of a friendly and supportive research community.  We offer first-class supervision and research training and are committed to improving education’s contribution to society, working in partnership with a range of external organisations, including schools, the British Film Institute, and UNESCO.  All research students in the School can access excellent facilities including workstations.

This studentship will provide funding for three years to cover full PhD fees and provide both a tax-free stipend of £13,726 pa and an allowance for research expenses.

Eligibility

• Applications are welcomed from a range of related disciplines (e.g., history, education, sociology, cultural studies).
• Applicants must have both an undergraduate Honours degree and a Master’s degree or similar postgraduate qualification. Both will normally have been awarded by a recognised research organisation in the UK.
• The award holder will be required to reside with a reasonable distance from the University of Nottingham when not working with the National Trust.
• You must meet the AHRC’s residential requirements. For full information see http://www.ahrc.ac.uk/SiteCollectionDocuments/Student-Funding-Guide.pdf

Making an Application

• Apply on-line for PhD in Education via the ‘Apply’ button below.
  
  
• Provide two academic references.

Informal enquiries should be addressed to Professor John Holford, Robert Peers Chair in Adult Education, (john.holford@nottingham.ac.uk)

For more information on full time PhD study and the part-time Professional Doctorate in Education please go to http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/education/prospective/researchdegrees.

Closing Date: 15 July 2013 (noon).

Please quote ref. LSS/357.