AHRC Doctoral Landscape Award

[Home fee tuition fee waiver; 3.5 year tax-free stipend at UKRI minimum rate plus London weighting (£22,780 per annum for 2025/26); CDA projects duration is 4 years; International students pay the difference between Home and International fee.]

The University of Westminster is offering three Collaborative Doctoral Awards (CDAs) as part of the prestigious AHRC Doctoral Landscape Award, a major new funding scheme from the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC). This award aims to expand doctoral research capacity in the arts and humanities across the UK, fostering a vibrant and inclusive research culture. For 2026 entry, successful applicants will join a dynamic cohort and benefit from a range of professional development opportunities, placements, and access to the London and East of England Hub.

Each CDA is a fully funded PhD opportunity, including a Home fee tuition waiver and a tax-free stipend at the UKRI minimum rate (£22,780 per annum for 2025/26, inclusive of London weighting). The duration for CDA projects is four years. International students are welcome to apply but must cover the difference between the Home fee waiver and the International tuition fee.

CDA 1: Mapping Creative R&D in Art–Technology Ecosystems
This project investigates the challenges of evaluating and measuring Creative Research & Development (R&D) within cultural organisations, policymakers, and industry. In partnership with the Serpentine, a leading contemporary arts organisation, the PhD student will develop new approaches to research, data gathering, and evaluation, focusing on how knowledge, value, and relationships are produced across creative ecosystems.

CDA 2: The Development of a Gayborhood in post-war London: Mapping Soho and its archives
This project provides the first detailed mapping of the history of queer businesses in Soho, London. Using materials from Westminster City Archives and other sources, the research will document how gay and queer businesses are established, grow, and survive, contributing a groundbreaking analysis of LGBTQ+ business history and the development of gayborhoods.

CDA 3: Collaborative Research as Pedagogical Method: Reinterpreting Photographic Collections at the RGS-IBG
This project addresses the underutilisation of photographic collections in archives such as the RGS-IBG. Focusing on the overlooked work of Elizabeth Wilhelmina Ness (1881–1962), the PhD will develop innovative pedagogical approaches to colonial-era photography, embedding principles of equality, diversity, and inclusion for use in both cultural and higher education institutions.

Applicants should have a strong academic background in relevant arts, humanities, or social science disciplines. Applications are submitted via the University of Westminster’s online system for research degrees. Clearly state the name of the CDA in your application form. Project teams will review and shortlist applications for interview. The application deadline is 30 April 2026.

This is an excellent opportunity to undertake doctoral research with full funding, professional development, and access to unique archival and cultural resources. For more information and to apply, visit the University of Westminster’s studentships page.