PhD Studentship Legacies of Transatlantic Slavery & Reparations

About us

SELCS-CMII is a world-leading centre for teaching, research and public engagement, focusing on the literature, linguistic traditions, history, sociology, philosophy, art, film and other aspects of the cultures associated with the languages we teach (Danish, Dutch, French, German, Icelandic, Italian, Norwegian, Old Norse, Portuguese, Spanish, Swedish). Our taught programmes are innovative and interdisciplinary. Please visit https://www.ucl.ac.uk/european-languages-culture/programmes-and-courses for more information.

About the role

The awardee will conduct an investigation of contemporary debates regarding the history and legacy of British slavery, abolition and reparations/restorative justice in Britain and/or the Caribbean for a doctoral project. Specifically, we welcome proposals that are concerned with (but not limited to):

• The media’s representation of the demands for economic and cultural reparations for Transatlantic Slave Trade
• Comparative analyses of media reportage on slavery reparations and restorative justice across the Caribbean, Britain and US
• Qualitative, oral history and narrative based research on the impact of public narratives, media reportage and debates on reparation and restorative justice amongst the Black Diaspora in Britain/The Caribbean
• Narratives/media representations of Intergenerational trauma as a legacy of transatlantic slavery in the Caribbean and amongst the Black diaspora in the UK.

Based within SELCS-CMII, the student will also collaborate closely with UCL’s Centre for the Study of the Legacies of British Slavery. For current work of the Centre, please visit www.ucl.ac.uk/lbs.

About you

We are looking for a Black British student with PhD research interests within the broad themes of media, culture, politics, restorative justice and reparations for the Transatlantic Slave Trade. The successful applicant will have received training from the disciplines of media and communications, Black studies, race and postcolonaility, literature, cultural sociology and history. Candidates must have already completed a relevant MA/MSc in a related subject (e.g. sociology, media, film and cultural studies, literature, Black studies, race and postcoloniality, gender, social policy), and have experience of the study of Black history, Black people and racial inequality, gained through academic study and/or working experience. Candidates must also fulfill the standard entry requirements for postgraduate study at UCL: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/prospective-students/graduate/entry-requirements

What we offer

The studentship is full-time and will run for 4 years from September 2025. It covers full-time tuition of Home Fees at the Doctoral Level (currently £6,215 per annum) plus an annual stipend of £20,280. Primary Doctoral supervision will be undertaken by Dr Clive Chijioke Nwonka, Associate Professor of Film, Culture and Society at UCL and secondary supervision by Professor Matthew J Smith at UCL (LBS/Department of History). The student will participate in the Research Training programme and will have the opportunity to contribute to the research and public engagement activities.

HOW TO APPLY: eligible applicants should send : 1. Curriculum vitae (max 5 pages). 2. A 2 page outline of proposed area of research 3. Personal statement outlining your motivations and suitability 4. Transcripts of study from your first degree and postgraduate qualifications. Interviews will be held in the week beginning 14th July 2025. After interview, the successful candidate will be given instructions to formally apply online via the UCL website. For enquiries please contact Dr Nwonka.

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