AHRC Collaborative Doctoral Partnership Award - Intimate Energies: How Do Museum Collections Help Us See Unrecognised Actors in the History and Future of Energy? University of Leeds in United Kingdom

[Full fees and maintenance at the UKRI rate (£21,805 in Session 2026/27), a London allowance of £1,000 per annum, a £600 enhancement per annum, a research training support grant, and other allowances (pro rata for part-time study).]

The University of Leeds, in collaboration with the Museum of the Home, offers a fully funded AHRC Collaborative Doctoral Partnership Award for the project 'Intimate Energies: How Do Museum Collections Help Us See Unrecognised Actors in the History and Future of Energy?'. This PhD opportunity is based in the School of Fine Art, History of Art and Cultural Studies and begins in October 2026.

The project investigates how learning about a wider range of energy actors and actions in the home in the past can help communities become active in energy decisions in the present and future. Addressing the climate crisis requires interdisciplinary research, and this project uniquely brings together historical humanities, museum studies, and sustainability research. It focuses on the agency of women in household energy decisions, the role of museums in generating conversations about energy pasts, presents, and futures, and the impact of overlooked actors on contemporary energy demand.

Research objectives include examining the role of women in the home, exploring different patterns of energy use, and understanding how museums can facilitate community engagement with domestic objects and archives. The Museum of the Home’s collections, which document the expansion of London and commuter lifestyles, provide a rich context for studying changing energy patterns and their social implications.

The award covers full tuition fees and maintenance at the UKRI rate (£21,805 for 2026/27), a London allowance (£1,000 per annum), a £600 enhancement per annum, a research training support grant, and other allowances. Funding is pro rata for part-time study. The position is ideal for candidates with backgrounds in history, art, environmental science, sociology, anthropology, or related fields, and an interest in museum studies, sustainability, or community engagement.

Applicants should have a strong academic record, typically a minimum of a 2:1 undergraduate degree or equivalent, and relevant experience or interest in the project’s themes. Skills in qualitative research, archival work, or interdisciplinary approaches are desirable. No specific language test or GRE/GMAT requirements are mentioned.

To apply, review the project details and funding information, and submit your application online via the University of Leeds portal by 17:00 (UK time) on 1 May 2026. For further information, contact Professor Abigail Harrison Moore.