PhD Studentship: AHRC Collaborative Doctoral Partnership (CDP) studentship – Visualising India’s Wars in South-East Asia, 1938-1947 with Imperial War Museum

Start Date: 1st October 2024 

City, University of London and Imperial War Museums (IWM) announce a fully funded doctoral studentship under the AHRC’s CDP scheme, starting October 2024. This PhD project will explore the visual documentation of India’s role in the Second World War in South-East Asia, using IWM's archives. It aims to inform current historical, museological, and remembrance discourses, enhancing public understanding of the war's impact. The project will be supervised by Dr. Diya Gupta (City, University of London) and Dr. Peter Johnston (IWM). The student will split their time between City, University of London, and IWM, joining the wider cohort of CDP-funded students across the UK. The studentship is open to full-time or part-time study. We welcome applications from a wide range of backgrounds, particularly from Global Majority candidates, who are currently underrepresented at this level.

Project Overview

The project examines the Second World War's impact on South-East Asia, focusing on British-ruled India’s contribution. It will utilize film and photographs from the British Ministry of Information, housed in IWM's collections, and seek materials from other archives to offer a more comprehensive narrative. This research will challenge the “official” records and consider visual documentation from Indian perspectives, aiming to reshape public memory and historical understanding.

Research Questions

1. How and why were the Ministry of Information photographs and films commissioned and represented?
2. What were the objectives behind their creation and distribution?
3. What is missing from these representations, and how do they compare with Indian-produced materials?
4. How can this visual record provide new insights for families and communities today?

Details of the Award

• Full-time studentships for 4 years or part-time equivalent up to 7 years.
• Covers tuition fees up to the full-time home UKRI rate (£4,786 for 2023/2024).
• Maintenance stipend of £19,237 per year plus £2,000 London Weighting.
• Additional travel and related expenses grant up to £1,000 per year for 4 years.
• Participation in CDP events for students across the UK.

Eligibility and Requirements

• Master’s degree in a relevant subject or equivalent professional experience.
• Open to both Home and International applicants.
• Home students must meet specific residency requirements.
• International students will receive full maintenance but need to cover the tuition fee difference (£13,630 per year for 2024/25).

Application Process

Submit CV, two references, cover letter, and a one-page research proposal to tanya.shennan@city.ac.uk.

Complete the AHRC CDP Studentship diversity monitoring form: Diversity Monitoring Form.

Assessment and Interviews

Applications will be assessed based on academic record and research potential. Informal enquiries can be addressed to Dr. Diya Gupta (diya.gupta@city.ac.uk ). Note that applications sent directly to this email will not be accepted.

Deadline and Interview Date

• Application deadline: 14 June 2024
• Interviews: 17 July 2024

For more details on eligibility and funding terms, see:

AHRC Collaborative Doctoral Partnership studentship • City, University of London

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