The University of Westminster is delighted to invite applications for 3 Collaborative Doctoral Awards as part of the University’s AHRC Doctoral Landscape Award.
The AHRC Doctoral Landscape Award is a major new funding scheme from the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC). Its aim is to grow the UK’s capacity for doctoral research in the arts and humanities and to create a vibrant, inclusive research culture.
Project overview
The Royal Geographical Society (with IBG) (RGS-IBG) cares for hundreds of thousands of colonial-era photographic images. Yet, these resources are largely underused. Through a pedagogy of student partnership informed by the ideas of educator Paulo Freire, this CDA will bring together archival, visual and material culture methods with the practical challenges of real archive collections through a case study of one of the RGS-IBG’s most significant photographic collections: the almost entirely overlooked work of Elizabeth Wilhelmina Ness (1881-1962). The doctoral researcher will use this material to develop an innovative pedagogical approach that fosters a critical interrogation of this troubling photographic heritage, bringing Ness’ work into dialogue with undergraduate and postgraduate students at the University of Westminster. By examining and showcasing how the plurality of perspectives of students can bring more diverse narratives and interdisciplinary perspectives into a co-produced reinterpretation of colonial-era records, the project aims to formulate a new model of teaching and learning that will be applicable to the pedagogical mission of both cultural institutions and universities.
Case study
For practical and methodological reasons, the project focuses on one significant body of photographic material that is both manageable in size and extremely rich in content. Ness was the first woman to become a Member of Council of the Royal Geographical Society in 1930 and the President of the National Council of Women of Great Britain (NCWGB) during World War II. She was also an accomplished photographer who travelled extensively across Africa, Asia, Middle East, Oceania, South and Central America. Ness’ images are well suited to study how colonial-era photography can be meaningfully integrated into present-day interdisciplinary education and, subsequently, into museum learning programmes.
Research questions
- What are the main barriers to engaging with colonial-era photographic archives and how can HEI pedagogies support the cultural sector in dismantling them?
- How can co-creative activities lead to new pedagogic approaches that empower communities, critically address the troubling heritage in colonial-era photographic collections and reinterpret them for contemporary audiences?
- What new uses and interpretation of Ness’ visual archive can be co-produced with present day HE students?
- How can the work with HE students be activated to support visitors’ engagement with museum and archive collections holding colonial-era records?
Methods
Initial phase to reconstruct Ness’ photographic activities primarily through an examination of Ness collection at the RGS-IBG.
Phase one will provide the basis for the co-creation activities. These will fit with the students’ studies:
- By embedding them within the students’ courses.
- By conducting two Students as Co-Creators Programme activities: a) Subject-specific research on distinct aspects of Ness’ collection; and b) Curriculum co-design in response to the engagement with Ness’ collection.
The doctoral researcher will then work with RGS-IBG to develop learning resources for its photographic collections informed by the finding of the co-creation activities.
Collaborators
The RGS-IBG is the UK's learned society and professional body for geography. It was founded in 1830 to advance geographical science and this remains its core purpose. Today, the RGS-IBG’s mission expresses this in terms of a vision for geography and geographers that places the subject at the heart of progress towards a more environmentally, socially and economically sustainable world.
Eligibility
Applicants must be able to demonstrate their interests and aptitude for exploiting the unique possibilities of undertaking a collaborative doctorate that will allow them to develop career-enhancing skills in heritage and public engagement. The project will include excellent opportunities for public engagement which will be decided in consultation with the appointed student to support their future career plans.
As a collaborative award, students will be expected to spend time at both the University of Westminster and the RGS-IBG.
Essential requirements include:
- Study to BA (2:1 or higher) and MA level in cognate fields to those covered by this project
- Ability to analyse and synthesise primary and secondary sources
- Enthusiasm for working in a museum environment and with community groups
- Strong written and oral communication skills
- Problem-solving and lateral thinking skills
- Good time management and high motivation
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team, and to put people at ease. Given the field of study, this will include a strong commitment to staff-student collaborations.
Preferable requirements include:
- Good grasp of British history in the twentieth century
- Familiarity with archives and special collections
- Familiarity with collaborative research methods and co-creative pedagogies
- Familiarity with research ethics
- Some experience of project management
- Willingness to undertake all relevant training
How to apply
Please include in your application:
- Personal Statement (maximum 1,500 words) explaining why you are interested in researching this topic, including what you would bring to the project and how you think you would develop it to reflect your own interests and expertise.
- A sample of writing. This could be a piece of academic writing (e.g. MA dissertation) or a text written in the course of any current or previous professional work.
- Your CV
- Two references (at least one academic)
- Transcript of university-level grades and qualification certificates
Please choose the following programme area when making your application ‘MPhil/PhD Visual Culture’.
Under ‘Additional Course Questions’ in your application, it is essential that you include the title of the studentship: RGS-IBG- CDA.
Application deadline: 30 April 2026 (for a start date of 1 October 2026)
Interviews (online): week commencing 25 May 2026
The University of Westminster and the RGS-IBG will jointly assess the applications to reach a decision.
For informal enquiries about the project, please contact the lead co-supervisor Dr Sara Dominici - [email protected].