AHRC Funded PhD: Collecting Space Heritage University of Leicester in United Kingdom

The University of Leicester invites applications for a fully-funded PhD project titled 'Collecting Space Heritage', supported by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC). This opportunity arises at a pivotal moment in human history, as humanity prepares to return to the moon and contemplates the cultural, social, and political realities of life in space. The project explores the challenges faced by cultural organisations—such as museums, libraries, and archives—in collecting, documenting, and conserving the cultural heritage of space travel and humanity's extension into space.

Key research questions include: What regulatory and professional systems exist for collecting space heritage? What practical and ethical dilemmas arise in the context of space exploration and habitation? How might cultural organisations confront or decline practices of colonisation and extraction that have shaped their histories? Are current curatorial workflows, skills, and policies fit for a future where humanity lives and works beyond Earth?

The doctoral candidate will work closely with the supervisory team to identify a research focus aligned with their expertise. They will have access to the UK’s new Museum Data Service (MDS), collaborate with leaders in curatorial practice around space heritage—including the National Space Centre and Science Museum Group—and engage with the Leverhulme Centre for Humanity and Space. The project is part of the 60th anniversary celebrations of Museum Studies at Leicester, a globally recognised centre for innovative thinking and experimental practice in the field.

The successful candidate will join the School of Heritage and Culture, where researchers, practitioners, and postgraduate students collaborate on creative and critical approaches to museums, galleries, and heritage. They will also become a Fellow of the Institute for Digital Culture, which works globally with the culture sector to adapt to the digital age, supporting interdisciplinary research in creative and cultural technologies, inclusive digital design, digital skills and leadership, and cultural informatics.

The Museum Data Service, a joint venture between Art UK and the Collections, funded by AHRC and Bloomberg Philanthropies, provides transformative access to object records across UK museums. The candidate will have the opportunity to work with expansive and rapidly growing data, as well as the team behind its design and growth.

Funding for this PhD includes four years of UK tuition fees and a stipend at UKRI rates (£21,805 per annum for 2026/7). International applicants are welcome but must pay the difference between UK and Overseas fees (£12,762 per annum for 2026/7). Applicants should have a strong academic background in museum studies, heritage studies, history, digital culture, or related fields, and demonstrate English language proficiency if required.

To apply, visit the University of Leicester application web page and follow the provided advice. For project enquiries, contact Professor Ross Parry. Submit your application before the deadline of April 9, 2026, ensuring you meet all eligibility and funding requirements.