PhD Studentship: Interrogating British South Asian Non-Fiction Films and Television, 1960s-1980s University of Warwick in United Kingdom

[Full tuition fees (with fee difference waived for international award holders), four-year UKRI level stipend, additional maintenance, annual allowances, and support for research and travel costs.]

The University of Warwick, in collaboration with the British Film Institute (BFI), offers a fully funded PhD studentship under the AHRC’s Collaborative Doctoral Partnerships (CDP) scheme, commencing October 2026. This unique opportunity focuses on interrogating the representation of British South Asian culture in non-fiction films and television from the 1960s to the 1980s—a period marked by critical debates about South Asian immigration and its impact on British society.

Jointly supervised by Lisa Kerrigan and Patrick Russell (BFI), and Dr. Julie Lobalzo Wright and Dr. Ritika Kaushik (University of Warwick), the successful candidate will engage in research at both the University of Warwick and the BFI National Archive. The project aims to illuminate how documentaries and current affairs programming reflected and depicted the British South Asian experience, drawing from collections such as the Central Office of Information (COI), London Weekend Television (LWT), and Channel 4. Notable programs include Eastern Eye (LWT, 1982-1985) and coverage of historical events like the Grunwick strike (1976-1978), which influenced workers’ rights and perceptions of British South Asian life.

The studentship covers full tuition fees (with the fee difference waived for international award holders), a four-year UKRI level stipend, additional maintenance, annual allowances, and support for research and travel costs. This ensures financial security and enables the student to focus on their research and professional development. The award is open to both Home and International applicants.

Applicants should possess, or expect to complete before starting, a relevant Masters-level qualification in Film/Television Studies, South Asian Studies, History, or Cultural Studies, or demonstrate equivalent professional experience in the Film/Television Industry, Heritage/Cultural organisations, Archives, or Museums. A sustained interest in Film and Television studies, particularly documentary/non-fiction films and television news or current affairs programming, is essential. Experience or enthusiasm for archival research and cultural histories of South Asian peoples in Britain is highly valued.

The successful candidate will join a vibrant cohort of CDP funded students across the UK, benefit from collaborative supervision, and gain access to unique archival resources. The project is designed to bridge historical and theoretical studies with practical research, offering a comprehensive academic and professional experience.

To apply, use the University of Warwick application link provided. For further information or enquiries, contact Julie Lobalzo Wright, Ritika Kaushik, or Lisa Kerrigan via email. Prospective applicants are encouraged to attend the CDP consortium webinar on 13 April 2026 for an overview of the funding scheme; sign up by emailing [email protected] with the subject line 'Prospective Applicant Webinar'.

This studentship is ideal for candidates passionate about film, television, cultural history, and archival research, seeking to contribute to the understanding of British South Asian representation in media.