Alison Hess

[Full-time home UKRI rate for PhD degrees. Grant funding full-time for 4 years or part-time equivalent up to a maximum of 8 years. Tuition fees up to the value of the full-time home UKRI rate for PhD degrees. Full maintenance for both home and international students. The UKRI National Minimum Doctoral Stipend for 2026/2027 is £21,805 plus London Weighting of £2000/year and a CDP maintenance payment of £600/year. Overseas students must cover the difference between UK and overseas fees rate (£17,000 per annum for 2025/26) and reside in the UK until completion of the PhD.] The University of Westminster, in collaboration with the National Gallery, invites applications for a fully funded PhD studentship as part of the National Gallery’s Collaborative Doctoral Partnership Scheme, funded by the AHRC. This unique project centers on the 'Take One Picture' (TOP) programme, a national initiative launched in 1995 to foster a child-led approach to museum education. Each year, a single painting from the National Gallery’s collection is selected, and primary school children, alongside their teachers, are encouraged to explore its themes and formal qualities, responding creatively through a variety of materials and techniques. The programme culminates in an annual exhibition at the National Gallery, which in 2025 included an innovative Augmented Reality Experience trail. TOP has engaged thousands of children across the UK, providing a rich dataset to analyze the evolution and impact of the programme. The project aims to collaborate with current primary school children to reimagine the future of museum education, offering a blueprint for educators seeking to empower young people to engage with art and culture. Research methods will draw from museum studies, psychology, educational sciences, and visual and material culture, making this an interdisciplinary opportunity for candidates interested in the intersection of art, education, and child development. The studentship is jointly supervised by Alison Hess (Lecturer in Museum Studies), Anna Doering (Reader in Psychology), and Sara Dominici (Reader in Photographic History and Visual Culture) at the University of Westminster, with Caroline Smith (Children & Young People’s Leadership Manager) and Karen Eslea (Head of Learning and National Programmes) at the National Gallery. The successful candidate will benefit from the expertise and resources of both institutions. Funding: The award covers tuition fees at the UKRI home rate and provides a full maintenance stipend of £21,805 per annum, plus London Weighting of £2,000/year and a CDP maintenance payment of £600/year. Funding is available for 4 years full-time or up to 8 years part-time equivalent. International students are eligible but must cover the difference between UK and overseas fees (currently £17,000 per annum) and reside in the UK for the duration of the PhD. Eligibility: Applicants should meet AHRC eligibility criteria and ideally hold or expect to obtain a relevant Masters-level qualification in Museum Studies, Art History, Education Studies, Psychology, or Visual and Material Culture Studies. Equivalent professional experience in museums, galleries, or educational settings (such as primary teaching, educational policy, or research) will also be considered. Application Process: Applications should be submitted via the University of Westminster’s online portal. Candidates are encouraged to review the full eligibility and funding details and prepare all supporting documents, including academic transcripts and a research proposal. The deadline for applications is 30 April 2026.

[Full-time home UKRI rate for PhD degrees. Grant funding full-time for 4 years or part-time equivalent up to a maximum of 8 years. Tuition fees up to the value of the full-time home UKRI rate for PhD degrees. Full maintenance for both home and international students. UKRI National Minimum Doctoral Stipend for 2026/2027 is £21,805 plus London Weighting of £2000/year and a CDP maintenance payment of £600/year. Overseas students must cover the difference between UK and overseas fees rate (£17,000 per annum).] The University of Westminster, in partnership with the National Gallery, offers a unique PhD studentship as part of the National Gallery’s Collaborative Doctoral Partnership Scheme funded by the AHRC. This project, titled 'Take One Picture (1995-present): children’s art, creativity and learning, and the future of museum education,' investigates the evolution and impact of the Take One Picture (TOP) programme—a national initiative for primary schools launched in 1995. The programme annually selects a painting from the National Gallery’s collection, encouraging primary school children and their teachers to explore its themes and formal qualities through creative responses using diverse materials and techniques. The project aims to develop a new children-led approach to museum education, culminating in the display of selected artworks at the National Gallery, including innovative experiences such as an Augmented Reality trail. TOP has inspired thousands of children, providing a rich dataset to analyze its development and impact. The research will collaborate with current primary school children to reimagine future possibilities for museum education, offering a blueprint for educators at the National Gallery and beyond. The project applies interdisciplinary research methods from museum studies, psychology, educational sciences, and visual and material culture, aiming to empower younger generations to engage with art and culture. Supervision is provided by Alison Hess (Lecturer in Museum Studies), Anna Doering (Reader in Psychology), and Sara Dominici (Reader in Photographic History and Visual Culture) at the University of Westminster, alongside Caroline Smith (Children & Young People’s Leadership Manager) and Karen Eslea (Head of Learning and National Programmes) at the National Gallery. Applicants should meet AHRC eligibility criteria and ideally possess or expect a Masters-level qualification in Museum Studies, Art History, Education Studies, Psychology, or Visual and Material Culture Studies, or demonstrate equivalent professional experience in museums, galleries, education, or outreach teams. Experience in primary teaching, educational policy, or research is also valued. Funding includes full tuition fees at the home UKRI rate, a maintenance stipend of £21,805 per annum, London Weighting of £2,000/year, and a CDP maintenance payment of £600/year. Overseas students must cover the difference between UK and overseas fees (£17,000 per annum) and reside in the UK for the duration of the PhD. The studentship is available full-time for 4 years or part-time up to 8 years. Applications are open until 30 April 2026. Interested candidates should apply online via the University of Westminster application portal, ensuring they review eligibility and funding details and prepare supporting documents such as academic transcripts and evidence of relevant experience.