Pearsall Fellowship in Naval and Maritime History
The Alan Pearsall Bequest and the Institute of Historical Research will offer a one-year postdoctoral Visiting Fellowship in Naval and Maritime History for 2024–25 tenable at the Institute. Applications are encouraged for work on any aspect of Naval and Maritime History, in the broadest sense, anywhere in the world, from the fall of the Roman Empire in the West up to the present day.
AIM OF OUR FELLOWSHIPS
We aim to help early-career historians to take the next steps in their careers, whatever those careers may be; as scholars, or professionals in other sectors. Our fellowships offer a period in which our Fellows can enrich their research experience, and fulfil the potential of their doctoral project and other relevant work.
ELIGIBILITY
The Fellowships will be awarded to postdoctoral applicants who have recently completed a doctoral degree in history, or who will have submitted their thesis for examination by 1 October in the academic year in which the Fellowship is to be held. It is a strict condition of the Fellowship that the thesis should have been submitted by that date. Applicants may be of any nationality, and their PhD (or equivalent) may have been awarded in any country. Those who have previously held another postdoctoral research fellowship of 12 months or more will not be eligible. The Fellowship cannot be held in conjunction with any other substantial maintenance grant or contract of employment.
A condition of the award is that Fellows should undertake further historical research and writing. The fellowship is intended for research on a new project rather than for the development of an existing thesis. Fellows will be expected to be based at the IHR and are expected to fully participate in the activities of the Institute, by regular attendance at and presentation of papers to appropriate seminars and by giving information and help to fellow scholars working in the same field.
WHAT WE OFFER
Fellows will be offered mentorship by the IHR’s academics and other staff across the School of Advanced Study. This will include help in planning the future, through career advice; assistance with applications for jobs, postdocs and fellowships; mock interviews; and guidance with publication plans and research grant applications. Augmenting our close connections across academia, the IHR’s extensive partnerships will be open to Fellows interested in working in sectors outside of the academy. Fellows will have the support of our Fellowships Officer throughout the fellowship. At the IHR they will have access to our world-renowned Wohl Library, extended electronic resources, and our extensive seminar and events programme.
Our Fellows’ seminar programme provides an opportunity for each Fellow to present their research in a collegial atmosphere and it is a condition of the Fellowship that they do so. Fellows are also expected to attend the papers delivered by their peers, tailored training workshops that are offered to fellows.
VISAS
Fellows, if they do not have the right to reside and study in the UK, will require a visa, and must ascertain what category of visa is most suitable for them.
The University of London is licensed to issue sponsorship certificates for Tier 5 visas. If Fellows need to enter the UK under a Tier 5 visa, they should apply for a sponsorship certificate through the IHR Fellowship Office, which they can then use in their visa application to the Home Office. Further details of visa categories can be found at http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/visitingtheuk/
DEADLINES
Complete applications must be received at the Institute of Historical Research no later than 31st January 2024. Incomplete applications or applications arriving after this date will not be considered.
APPLICATION FORMAT
Hard copy applications will be deemed ineligible. Only applications made using the IHR’s online application system will be considered.
Applications for which the requested supporting documents (one-page CV, thesis summary, and research proposal) are not uploaded will be deemed ineligible.
REFERENCES
Applicants will be asked to supply the names and contact information of two referees at the time of application.
THE SCHOOL OF ADVANCED STUDY
Applicants are strongly advised to investigate the resources that are available to them within the University of London, and particularly at the School of Advanced Study, to which the IHR belongs. Details can be found at www.lon.ac.uk and www.sas.ac.uk
REPORTING
Fellows will be expected to submit an annual report on their activities to the Institute. Within three months of the end of the Fellowship, each Fellow will send to the Institute of Historical Research (by email) a written report on the Fellowship experience, detailing the activities undertaken during the period of his/her Fellowship and an outline of future career plans.
SELECTION POLICIES
A committee of senior historians will draw up a shortlist of interview candidates from eligible applicants. The committee will assess the quality of applications with reference to the following criteria:
The significance and originality of the research project:
The panel will look for a clear articulation of the significance of the research. This may be expressed with reference to the candidate’s specialist field, although we would encourage applicants to relate their findings beyond their specific sub-discipline. The panel will expect candidates to identify clearly their key research questions. We expect applicants to be able to articulate the ways in which their research makes an original contribution to knowledge in their field.
The quality of the research accomplished and the way it is presented in the application:
It is recommended that candidates describe clearly the programme of research carried out to date and how that programme of research relates to the research questions set out in the thesis and any other relevant research. Candidates may wish to reflect on their methodology and how this relates to the questions posed in the research. Candidates should present their research in a clear and coherent manner, so that it may be understood and assessed by non- specialist historians.
The standard of the applicant’s academic qualifications:
The panel will be most interested in your research project and the quality of your research, although they may take other factors into consideration. You should indicate any prizes, awards or scholarships you have received, any publications accepted or submitted for consideration, and any papers delivered at conferences or seminars (if there are many of these, please simply indicate the highlights).
The presentation of a viable timeline:
Applicants should include a detailed timeline, which offers realistic prospects for completing research within the time projected and funds awarded.
Plans for career development (where appropriate):
Candidates are invited to reflect on how the fellowship will assist in the development of their careers within or beyond the academy.
All other considerations being equal, the likelihood of active participation in the academic life of the IHR, as indicated by a history of involvement in conferences, workshops, seminars, public engagement, and/or other initiatives associated with good academic citizenship, will be taken into account.
The quality of the submitted written work. Note: written work will only be requested if / when you are longlisted for a fellowship.
APPLICATION CONTENTS
As well as completing the ‘Personal Details’, ‘Education’ and ‘Referees’ sections, applicants should also upload the following four documents:
A one-page CV, listing any educational details, publications, research papers and other relevant academic information not submitted elsewhere in the application.
A summary of the doctoral thesis (no more than 750 words).
A postdoctoral research proposal with timetable for completion (no more than 1,000 words).
EQUALITY, DIVERSITY, AND INCLUSION
We welcome our duties under the Equality Act 2010, as part of our commitment to ensuring equality of opportunity for all.
The University was founded upon the principles of equality and established to provide education based on merit. Since then we have amended our Statutes to include the following statement from the University of London Statutes:
"The University shall not discriminate against any person on the grounds of race, nationality, ethnic origin, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, age, religion, social background or political belief. (21.1)"
We are committed to preserving and promoting fellowship opportunities to individuals whose lives are incompatible with the normal established patterns of work. This could be due to personal or domestic circumstances, physical or mental disabilities, or interests and aspirations.
Flexible fellowship requests could include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Part-time working
- Temporary suspension of the fellowship
We will give sympathetic consideration to all fellows’ requests for flexible terms, whether the request is for a permanent, short-term or trial adaptation in the terms.
Please see further details of the University of London’s Diversity and Inclusion policy and strategies here: https://london.ac.uk/about-us/equality-diversity-and-inclusion
