PhD studentship: Reawakening the Living Landscape—Integrating Heritage and Sustainability at the Ulster Folk Museum

[Home tuition fees paid and an annual stipend of £21,805 (2026-27 UKRI rates). International candidates may need to fund the difference between home and international tuition fees.] Newcastle University, in partnership with National Museums NI, offers a fully funded PhD studentship titled 'Reawakening the Living Landscape: Integrating Heritage and Sustainability at the Ulster Folk Museum.' This opportunity is part of the AHRC Collaborative Doctoral Partnership (CDP) and is based in the School of History, Classics & Archaeology. The Ulster Folk Museum (UFM) provides a unique setting with a wealth of ecological and historical data sets, which have yet to be fully explored as a unified resource. The aim of this PhD project is to reconnect these layers through a blend of history, heritage, and ecology, enabling a comprehensive understanding of the site’s past and informing future planning and sustainability efforts. The studentship offers home tuition fees paid and an annual stipend of £21,805 (2026-27 UKRI rates). International candidates are welcome to apply but may be required to fund the difference between home and international tuition fees. The project is supervised by Professor Annie Tindley (Newcastle University) and Dr Damian McFerran (Ulster Folk Museum), providing interdisciplinary guidance across history, heritage, and ecological research. The award duration is four years full-time, with part-time options available for up to eight years. Interviews will be conducted online on 11 May 2026. Eligibility criteria include a minimum of a 2:1 honours degree and a Masters degree at Merit level, or international equivalent, in a related subject (History, Heritage, Ecology), or equivalent professional experience. Independent research and relevant professional experience will be specifically considered. Non-native English speakers must achieve an IELTS score of at least 6.5 overall, with no sub-score below 5.5. All applicants must meet UKRI terms and conditions for funding. Home student status requires UK or Irish nationality (with residency requirements), settled or pre-settled status, or indefinite leave to remain or enter. To apply, candidates must use the University’s Apply to Newcastle Portal, create a postgraduate application, and search for programme code 8210F. Applicants should select 'PhD School of History, Classic and Archaeology (full time) – History' as the programme of study. In the 'Further Details' section, provide a 750-word research proposal outlining the independent research anticipated for the project, and a 750-word statement of purpose detailing academic/professional preparation and motivation. The studentship reference HCA015 must be included. Applicants must also submit a current academic/professional CV and two references from academics or professionals familiar with their recent work in relevant fields. This studentship is ideal for candidates interested in interdisciplinary research at the intersection of history, heritage, and environmental science, with a focus on landscape, sustainability, and museum studies. The project offers the opportunity to work closely with both Newcastle University and the Ulster Folk Museum, contributing to the future planning and preservation of a significant cultural and ecological site.