AHRC Doctoral Studentship

[Full UKRI stipend (£21,805 p.a. in 2026-27) plus London Weighting (£2,000 p.a.), Home tuition fees covered. One Overseas fee-paying student can be funded across the three opportunities.]

King’s College London’s Leverhulme Centre for Research on Slavery in War (CRSW) is offering three fully funded AHRC doctoral studentships starting October 2026. These prestigious studentships invite proposals under three interdisciplinary themes: (1) Slavery and the Seven Years’ War within and across the Caribbean Archipelago, jointly supervised by the History and War Studies departments; (2) Narratives of Enslavement and their Legacies, jointly supervised by the English and War Studies departments; and (3) Anticipating African Futures: Pluriversal Approaches to Forecasting Conflict-Related Slavery, supervised in the War Studies Department. The CRSW is committed to advancing research on the historical, social, and political dimensions of slavery in contexts of war, with a strong emphasis on interdisciplinary approaches and minority representation.

Funding for these studentships includes a full UKRI stipend (£21,805 p.a. for 2026-27), an additional London Weighting (£2,000 p.a.), and coverage of Home tuition fees. Notably, CRSW can appoint and fund one Overseas fee-paying student across the three opportunities, making this an inclusive opportunity for both Home and International applicants. The studentships can be undertaken full-time or part-time, and applications from Black, Asian, and minority ethnic (BAME) backgrounds are particularly encouraged to address underrepresentation in this discipline.

Eligibility requirements include an upper-second class (2:1) honours degree and a Master’s degree at high merit or above in a directly relevant discipline (or international equivalent). Applicants must meet the English-language requirements for PhD students in the Department of War Studies (Band B). Assessment will focus on educational and research background, ability to work inclusively, initiative, expertise development, interest in the research area, understanding of relevant methods, and communication skills.

To apply, submit your CV, personal statement, research proposal (5-10 pages), academic writing sample, transcripts, and one academic reference via the application link by 5pm on 1 May 2026. All documents must be in English and in MS Word or PDF format. Successful candidates will need to formally apply to King’s College London and satisfy its admission requirements following selection. Overseas applicants should be prepared to apply immediately after selection in mid-May, with a final deadline of 1 June for King’s Apply. Home applicants have until 25 August to make their College application.

This opportunity is ideal for students interested in historical research, war studies, literature, and the legacies of slavery, offering a vibrant academic environment at King’s College London’s renowned Leverhulme Centre for Research on Slavery in War.