A doctoral studentship, fully funded by the AHRC, including maintenance, is available under the above AHRC-sponsored project (September 2007-August 2010), led by Professor Catriona Kelly. Students who fulfill the AHRC residence requirement (see sections 83-132 of the AHRC Eligibility Criteria in the Guide for Applicants for Post-Graduate Awards in the Arts and Humanities: Doctoral Awards Scheme, http://www.ahrb.ac.uk/apply/postgrad/doctoral_awards_scheme.asp) are invited to apply.

The nominated topic is a comparative study of cultural memory and regional identity since 1961 in three Russian cities with medieval roots (Pskov, Novgorod, and Vologda), but applicants with established research interests in other areas, particularly cultural memory, who can demonstrate the relevance of their proposed topic to the aims and objectives and selected location (North-Western Russia) of the project generally will also be considered. (See www.mod-langs.ox.ac.uk/russian/nationalism; this site also includes a detailed description of the topic proposed for doctoral research as sent to the AHRC). Students will have the opportunity to work with Professor Kelly and other members of the project team in Britain and St Petersburg, and with specialists at the Centre for Eastern European Language Based Area Studies (CEELBAS) in the University of Oxford, to develop the above research theme. Additional specialist input may also come from scholars at partner institutions associated with CEELBAS as well as from a range of specialist disciplinary and interdisciplinary seminars.

It will be expected that applicants will have undertaken relevant research methods training equivalent to that provided under the AHRC Research Preparation Master’s Scheme, or be prepared to complete such training during the first year of the PhD/DPhil.

Entry requirements

• A first degree (at least a good 2.1 or equivalent) and a Masters qualification in a relevant area (e.g. Russian language and literature, Russian history, cultural studies or anthropology)
• Sound knowledge of spoken and written Russian, including the ability to work with archival documents, or evidence of concrete plans to acquire appropriate language skills by the time the research project begins
• Evidence of training in research methods, subject-related and generic, as expected by the AHRC

Applicants must also demonstrate fitness and preparedness to spend an extended period or periods doing research in North-Western Russia.

Application
Applicants must complete a standard Oxford Application for Admission as a Graduate Student, which should be sent to:

The Graduate Admissions Office
Oxford University Offices
Wellington Square
Oxford, OX1 2JD
United Kingdom

Deadline: Friday 18 May 2007.

In describing their academic interests and reasons for applying in the Supplementary Personal Statement, applicants should refer to their intention to apply for this studentship. They should also make sure that a copy of their complete application form, with a separate covering letter outlining their reasons for wishing to participate in the project, is sent to:

Professor Catriona Kelly
New College
Oxford, OX1 3BN
United Kingdom
Fax: 01865 279590

Email: catriona.kelly@new.ox.ac.uk