Open Call | Two Fully Funded PhDs at UCD School of Art History and Cultural Policy

Applications are invited for two fully funded 4-year doctoral student positions in the UCD School of Art History and Cultural Policy. The successful candidates will join a European Research Council (ERC) advanced project under the supervision of Prof. Kathleen James-Chakraborty entitled “Expanding Agency: Women, Race, and the Global Dissemination of Modern Architecture.” Its focus is the period 1920 to 1970. UCD’s School of Art History and Cultural Policy is the largest art history department in Ireland, and the successful candidates will join a thriving research community closely connected with a range of national and international museums and cultural institutions.

One aspect of “Expanded Agency” focuses on the way in which modern architecture and design were “sold” to middle class and elite female consumers, often by female journalists, through magazines focused on home décor (the shelter press) and fashion, and through the women’s pages of newspapers. Candidates are sought who are interested in examining this body of literature, whether produced in Europe, the rest of English-speaking world, or the Global South. They will analyse what it can tell us about the shaping of female taste, the work of women makers, and the careers of female journalists. The ability for each candidate to compare material from at least two countries is particularly desired. Although much of this material has been digitized, it may be necessary to undertake research visits to libraries and archives abroad.

Successful candidates will have a strong academic background, including a master degree, in art history, architecture, or a closely related discipline, such as gender studies or history. They should have experience undertaking research, including working with primary sources. They should be highly motivated and be able to write well. One position is reserved for someone with a strong reading knowledge of Spanish or Portuguese, who will work at least in part on Latin America.

As doctoral students the successful candidates will work to ensure the effective delivery of the 5-year research project alongside two postdocs and other members of the research team, of which they will be valued members. They will attend a reading group their first three autumn semesters, attending regular team meetings across all fours years of their doctoral study, and contribute to an exhibition of project results that will travel to ten architecture schools, five in Europe and five in the global south. They will also be expected to prepare papers for presentations at national and international conferences and to begin to submit their work for peer-reviewed publication.

Non-EU applicants are welcome to apply as the full fees can be covered for one such successful applicant.

In addition to covering all tuition fees, funding for these positions includes an annual stipend of 20,000 euros. Additional funds are available for a laptop, travel to conferences, research visits to libraries abroad, and to cover the cost of illustration permissions and open access fees for peer-reviewed publications.

Applicants should submit a cover letter, a CV, names and addresses (including e-mails) of two referees, and a writing sample via e-mail to Jenny.Devine@ucd.ie by 10^th JUNE 2022. Applications will be reviewed by a committee at School level, and will be informed by the first half of July, at which time successful applicants may formally apply for admission to UCD.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities:

The doctoral students will work closely with Kathleen James-Chakraborty, and the other members of the research team, to ensure the efficient and effective overall running of the project.

Research

• Undertake the study of the way in which between 1920 and 1970 publications targeted at women introduced female consumers to new ideas about architecture and design.
• Undertake fieldwork in relevant libraries and archives abroad.
• Present research findings at scholarly conferences.
• Publish research findings in peer-reviewed venues.
• Participate in team reading group and in team meetings.
• Assist in planning exhibition of team findings.