About the opportunity
The Collections Connections Communities (CCC) Strategic Research Initiative invites supervisory proposals for the Collections & Communities in the East of England (CC-EE) Collaborative Doctoral Landscape Award. The initiative aims to allocate five PhD studentships starting in October 2027. Each PhD will be a partnership between two or more CC-EE collections across Cambridge, Norfolk, Colchester, Ipswich, or Peterborough, and a UK higher education institution, with supervisors in each. Research can cover all aspects of collections work—such as curatorial practices, interpretation, learning, and conservation—provided it uses arts and humanities methodologies and fits themes of belonging, resilience, or ecologies.
Funding and benefits
- Allocation of 5 PhD studentships for the 2027/28 academic year
- Access to training delivered by the Consortium and the UK-wide Collaborative Doctoral Programme scheme
- Dedicated research funds for successful projects
Who can apply?
- Staff members at one of the participating CC-EE collections (proposed collections-based supervisors do not need to hold a PhD to supervise)
- Researchers based in a UK Higher Education Institution proposing a collaboration with at least two or more participating collecting institutions
Required documents
- Expression of Interest (EoI) Form
- Full Application Form (by invitation following successful EoI)
When to apply
- Expression of Interest deadline: 26 October at 12:00 PM
- Full Application deadline: 16 December at 12:00 PM
How to apply
- Contact the CC-EE team for an initial discussion and support in developing the proposal or for introductions to collection colleagues
- Coordinate with relevant staff at the target collection institution
- Complete and submit the Expression of Interest form by the October deadline
- Submit a full application if invited following the Expression of Interest stage
Additional information
- The selection process is conducted in two stages consisting of an Expression of Interest followed by a full application.
- The studentship projects will eventually be externally advertised for student recruitment.
Our Take on This Opportunity
This section reflects Open Opportunities’ own analysis of the opportunity from an applicant’s perspective.
You may be a strong fit if…
- Academic staff or researchers in UK higher education institutions wanting to build formal collaborative partnerships with regional museums and heritage collections.
- Professionals working within participating East of England collections who are interested in co-supervising a doctoral researcher.
- Researchers whose proposed doctoral topics align directly with arts and humanities approaches to belonging, resilience, or ecologies.
What should you think carefully about?
- Projects must actively involve at least two or more participating CC-EE collecting institutions across the East of England.
- The proposal requires cross-institutional coordination between university researchers and museum or archive staff prior to submission.
How could this fit your current goals and plans?
This call is ideal for researchers and collection professionals looking to secure funded doctoral projects and establish long-term institutional partnerships between universities and heritage institutions in the East of England.
Our take
Researchers and collection staff seeking to establish collaborative doctoral supervision for the 2027/28 academic year should seriously consider submitting an Expression of Interest, ideally after contacting the CC-EE team for initial guidance.
Ready to apply?
Review the opportunity on the official website before applying.
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