PhD in Digital Humanities: Nigerian Theatre, Cultural Mapping, and Development at King's College London

African Creativity Beyond Borders announces a fully funded 4-year PhD opportunity in Digital Humanities at King's College London, supervised by Dr Andrea Ballatore, Senior Lecturer in Cultural Data Science. The project focuses on Nigerian theatre and development, specifically mapping formal and informal spaces and audience participation using online data sources. The research aims to create a novel multi-source spatial dataset about theatre activity and audience engagement, analyzing trends in relation to Nigeria's human geography at multiple scales. The project addresses the intersection of theatre ecosystem development and infrastructure in Nigeria, covering both formal productions in urban centers like Lagos and Abuja and informal, community-based performances in regional and remote locations. Touring within Nigeria and internationally will be studied to identify best practices for broader engagement and recognition. The research will utilize diverse data sources, including newspapers, cultural institutions, online event listings, websites, and social media platforms, applying geographic data science to understand the sector's reach and dynamics. Expected outcomes include: (1) development of a multi-source spatial dataset on theatre activity and audience participation; (2) analysis of theatre trends and patterns in relation to Nigeria's geography; (3) practitioner engagement and case studies to uncover disparities in cultural access and propose strategies for strengthening regional ecosystems and community engagement. The project is supported by King's College London via King’s Doctoral College and offers training, mentorship, and cohort activities. Applicants should have a strong background in digital humanities, data science, GIS, cultural studies, or related fields, and demonstrate interest in African theatre and cultural mapping. The position is fully funded, covering tuition and a UKRI-rate stipend. Application deadline is 13 February 2026. For full details and to apply, visit the provided links and include Project Code 2627-ACBB4 in your application.