Three AHRC Collaborative PhD Studentships in the History of Science, Technology and Medicine at the University of Leeds

Three AHRC Collaborative PhD Studentships in the History of Science, Technology and Medicine at the University of Leeds

Three AHRC-funded PhD studentships are available from 1 October 2010 for collaborative research projects between the Centre for the History and Philosophy of Science, University of Leeds, and

 three partner institutions: the BT Archives, the National Institute of Agricultural Botany (NIAB), and the Leeds Library.
(1) “Whose call? Mapping the Early Usage and Non-Usage of the Telephone in Britain”—a project in collaboration with BT Archives

Who used telephones in the UK from the late 1870s, and why—and also who didn’t…? We know these devices were deployed in roles as varied as entertainment, experimentation, and business transactions – and latterly even conversation. This project seeks to map the previously uncharted social, geographical and gender profiles of their users.  An equally important question is: why did others continue to use instead the older techniques of telegram, letter or boy-messenger for communication? Was it just a matter of trust in familiar technologies, the sheer cost and technical challenge of using the telephone, or some other key factors? Two PhD studentships are available to study these and related questions about the early social history of the telephone in the UK, complementing scholarship on the US case by Carolyn Marvin (1988) and Claude Fischer (1992).

One studentship is available from October 2010; the second will be available from October 2011, and will be advertised in the spring of 2010. It is anticipated that between them the two students would cover the period of the private telephone networks from the 1870s to the 1890s and the nationalized telephone up to the1920s. Applications are invited from a variety of angles e.g. history of science & technology, social history, business history, local history or cultural history. Research proposals are especially welcome that that consider any of the following issues of gender, class, disability, geography, visual cultures and literary representation.

This project will be supervised by Prof. Graeme Gooday (Leeds HPS) and Mr David Hay (BT Archives).  The project students will be invited to contribute to a guide on user history for BT Archives and in the preparation of online materials for use by schools.  For information about the BT Archive collections visit http://www.btplc.com/Thegroup/BTsHistory/BTgrouparchives/Majorcollections.

(2) “Forging a Science of Food Security: Testing, Statistics and Regulation at the National Institute of Agricultural Botany, 1919-1969”—a project in collaboration with NIAB

This project will examine the first half-century of one of the most important food-security institutions in modern Britain: the National Institute of Agricultural Botany (NIAB), based in Cambridge.  Since its founding at the end of the First World War, NIAB has been the central body concerned with the experimental testing, statistical evaluation, and commercial regulation of new plant varieties in Britain.  Drawing on a range of hitherto unexploited archival resources at NIAB, and with close attention both to technical issues and to wider dynamics (including questions of gender in science), this project will involve the student in analysing NIAB as a hub of commercially and politically vital scientific activity.

This project will be supervised by Dr Gregory Radick (Leeds HPS) and Dr Tina Barsby (CEO, NIAB), in association with members of NIAB staff including Dr Donal O’Sullivan and Mrs Tricia Cullimore.  The project student is expected to help with inventorying and reorganization of the archive, to mount an exhibit promoting its use, and to contribute to local, national and international meetings.

(3) "Subscription Libraries as Agents of Cultural Transformation in the Age of Revolutions: The Case of Leeds, 1768–1832"—a project in collaboration with the Leeds Library

The emergence of new types of 'public' library in the burgeoning towns and cities of late-Georgian Britain was a major cultural transition.  But who founded such libraries and why?  And what historical impact did they have?  Drawing on an exceptional collection of early records, this project will address the full range of questions about the role of subscription libraries for one important late-Georgian town.  Run in partnership with the Leeds Library—Britain's oldest surviving proprietary subscription library, founded by Joseph Priestley in 1768—it will examine the history of five such libraries in the city, including the highly unusual medical subscription library founded at the Leeds General Infirmary in 1771, for which loan records survive, and the library of the Leeds Philosophical and Literary Society.  By providing a detailed comparative analysis of the libraries of late-Georgian Leeds, the study will yield important new insights into the city's developing culture during the most rapid phase of its expansion from market town to industrial centre.

The project will be supervised by Dr Jonathan Topham (Leeds HPS) and Mr Geoffrey Forster (Leeds Library).  The student will be expected to enhance the Leeds Library's existing database of early subscribers, to contribute to its online and printed historical outreach resources, and to organize a workshop on the historical role of subscription libraries.

Studentship Information

The studentships are tenable for up to 3 years (full-time) or up to 5 years (part-time) from 1 October 2010. Renewal of the studentships each year is subject to satisfactory academic progress.

AHRC regulations require that applicants must meet UK residency criteria or be ordinarily resident in the EU.  EU candidates are normally eligible for a fees-only award, unless they have been ordinarily resident in the UK for 3 years immediately preceding the date of the award.  Applicants should normally have, or expect soon to be awarded, a Masters degree in a relevant discipline (e.g. history of science, technology and/or medicine; museum studies; history).  Further details concerning eligibility are available via the AHRC website at http://www.ahrc.ac.uk/FundingOpportunities/Documents/Guide%20to%20Student%20Eligibility.pdf.

Full awards cover academic fees at the standard UK rate and a maintenance grant for full-time study (the maintenance grant for part-time study will be pro-rata) together with other allowances if appropriate.  In the 2009/2010 academic year full-time awards provided a maintenance grant payment of £13,290 p.a. and fees of £3,390 p.a.  In addition to these amounts, the AHRC will pay an additional £500 per annum in April to students in receipt of a full award.   Students may also be eligible to claim for fieldwork or UK study visits and one overseas study visit as well as one overseas conference for the duration of the award.  The student will also receive a contribution to maintenance from the non-academic partner and may also be eligible for travel and related workplace expenses.

Applications

The closing date for applications is Wednesday 2 June 2010.  You should also arrange for three academic references to be sent to us by this date.  Interviews are expected to take place in the week commencing 7 June.

Applications should be made using the standard Department of Philosophy application for a postgraduate research degree (available for download via http://www.leeds.ac.uk/downloads/Research_degree_application_form.doc).  In place of the PhD research proposal in section G, please write 500 words detailing how you would approach the collaborative project, considering the following points:

a) How your previous experience would equip you to undertake the proposed research;

b) How you would formulate the project within the parameters laid down by the further particulars (see below), particularly emphasizing any areas where you think it could usefully be modified or developed;

c) How you envisage the collaborative nature of the project being of benefit to your study; and

d) How you consider the proposed research would further your future plans.

In addition, you should send a copy of your degree transcripts (or a transcript of your marks to date if you are currently completing a degree) and a sample of written work, consisting of a historical essay on a question of your choice, not less than 3000 words in length.

All applications and references should be sent to Jenneke Stevens, Postgraduate Secretary, Department of Philosophy, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, email: J.M.Stevens@leeds.ac.uk, tel: 0113 343 3263, to whom all general correspondence concerning postgraduate study at Leeds HPS should also be directed.

Application checklist:

• Application form, including 500-word research statement;
• Three academic references, sent by application deadline;
• Copy of degree transcripts;
• Writing sample of 3000+ words.

Further Particulars

Requests for further particulars and enquiries about the telephone project may be directed to Prof. Graeme Gooday, email: G.J.N.Gooday@leeds.ac.uk.  For advice about the BT Archives resources contact Mr David Hay, email: david.a.hay@bt.com

Requests for further particulars and enquiries about the agricultural botany project may be directed to Dr Gregory Radick, email: G.M.Radick@leeds.ac.uk.

Requests for further particulars and enquiries about the libraries project may be directed to Dr Jonathan Topham, email: J.R.Topham@leeds.ac.uk.

Leeds HPS

History and Philosophy of Science (HPS) at Leeds is at the forefront of the subject in Britain, with a strong tradition in both research and teaching. For over half a century HPS has maintained a first-rate international reputation, expanding to incorporate the study of technology and medicine and embracing a wide variety of approaches. Noted for its friendly and open atmosphere, HPS is located within one of the nation's largest departments of philosophy, and attracts students from the region, nationally, and internationally.

HPS offers a wide range of opportunities for postgraduate study, in both taught MA courses and research degrees. With a dozen permanent and associate members of staff, we offer teaching in many mainstream research areas as well as in important specialist topics. We are also committed to interdisciplinary approaches, and encourage students to consider wider perspectives from the humanities and

social sciences, including gender studies.

HPS has a first-rate record in both research and teaching, and is consistently praised by both our students and external examiners. In the most recent Research Assessment Exercise (2008), two-thirds of the Philosophy Department’s research was rated 'world class' or 'internationally excellent', matching the percentage of other leading UK philosophy departments such as Oxford and Cambridge. For students aiming for an academic career in HPS and science studies, study at Leeds has proved to be an effective route to success.

Research Facilities

The Centre has excellent research facilities on hand. The University Library is one of the largest research libraries in the UK, with over 2.7 million books (mostly on open access), including important and extensive historical collections relating to the subject, as well as a fine journal collection and up-to-date e-learning resources. Over half a century, the university has amassed a large collection of books and periodicals in history and philosophy of science. There are also many other important libraries and archives easily accessible in the region, including the British Library Lending Division nearby at Boston Spa, and funds are available to history of science research students for travel to archives. Postgraduates have a dedicated room and computer cluster in the department, and also have access to dedicated postgraduate computer clusters at both faculty and university level.

The University of Leeds

The University of Leeds is one of the most popular universities in the UK, with an international reputation for the quality of its teaching and research. Degrees awarded from Leeds are recognised by employers and universities worldwide. It is the UK’s second largest university, with over 30,000 students taking some 650 undergraduate and 300 postgraduate courses. In over a century of teaching, the University has played a leading part in the development of modern higher education in this country, and it is a member of the Russell Group of twenty major research-intensive universities in the UK.

Our single campus is a ten minute walk from Leeds city centre. Most students live within walking distance or a short bus-ride of the University. There is a large and active Student Union, which provides a full range of services.

http://www.leeds.ac.uk/campus-life

http://www.leedsuniversityunion.org.uk

 

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Dr. Jon Topham
Senior Lecturer in History of Science

Department of Philosophy,
University of Leeds,
Leeds LS2 9JT

Tel: +44 (0)113 34 32526
Fax: +44 (0)113 34 33265

http://www.philosophy.leeds.ac.uk/Staff/az/Jon_Topham.htm
http://www.sciper.org/