Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) Collaborative Doctoral Partnership

Swansea University, in partnership with The National Archives, offers a fully funded PhD studentship under the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) Collaborative Doctoral Partnership scheme. This opportunity is open to both UK and international applicants, with a project start date in October 2026. The studentship is based at Swansea University’s Singleton Campus and includes time spent at The National Archives, providing access to unique archival resources and professional development within both academia and the heritage sector.

The research project, titled "Rethinking Reparations: A Cultural and Social History of Post-First World War Compensation to Civilians in Britain and its Empire, 1918-25," investigates the reparations claims made by civilians following the First World War. Rather than focusing solely on financial aspects, the project centers on individual experiences and personal compensation claims for property damaged, destroyed, or taken during the war. The candidate will analyze claims submitted to post-war reparations agencies, the Foreign Office, and the Colonial Office, all housed at The National Archives. This rich source material enables exploration of civilian claims for property damage in Britain (primarily from enemy bombing), claims by British civilians in Europe, and claims in imperial and colonial contexts, especially Africa and the Middle East.

Key research questions include: What did contemporaries understand by ‘reparations’ in different contexts? How were civilian compensation claims made and processed? What do personal narratives in compensation claims reveal about civilian wartime experience, memory of conflict, and societal transitions out of total war? The project offers the student the chance to shape the research according to their interests and expertise, and to develop public engagement outputs with relevant departments at The National Archives, enhancing future employability.

The studentship is supervised by Professor Tomás Irish and Dr Leah Owen (Swansea University), and Dr William Butler and Dr Samuel Amos (The National Archives). The student will join a wider group of CDP-funded students across the UK, with access to events and training delivered in partnership with cultural heritage institutions. The programme can be studied full-time or part-time.

Eligibility requirements include an undergraduate degree at 2.1 level and a master’s degree with a minimum overall grade at ‘Merit’. Applicants with a UK first class honours degree (or non-UK equivalent) without a master’s may be considered individually. English language proficiency is required: IELTS 6.5 overall (no component below 6.5) or Swansea University recognised equivalent. International and European applicants should consult Swansea’s country-specific entry requirements and may contact [email protected] for eligibility queries.

Funding covers the full cost of tuition fees and an annual stipend at the UKRI rate (£21,805 for October 2026). The deadline for applications is Friday, May 22, 2026. Applicants should apply online via the provided FindAPhD link, prepare academic transcripts and English language evidence, and ensure submission by the deadline.