AHRC Collections & Communities in the East of England Collaborative Doctoral Partnership PhD studentships
ARU is currently offering one AHRC-funded PhD studentship under the Collaborative Doctoral Partnership Scheme.
The studentship will start in October 2026 on our Chelmsford campus and you can study on a full-time or part-time basis.
Applications must be submitted through our online application portal. You can find the application link under the project description.
You will need the following documents available electronically to upload them to the application portal (we can accept files in .pdf, .jpeg or .docx format):
- Certificates and transcripts from your Bachelor's and Master's degrees (if applicable).
- Your personal statement explaining your suitability for the project. We recommend uploading this as a Word doc or PDF, but you can also type it directly on the form.
- Your research outline explaining how you would approach the project, including suggested methodology.
- Curriculum Vitae.
To discuss the research project, contact the supervisor(s) named, or come along to an information session detailed in the project description.
If you have any questions about this vacancy or the application process, contact [email protected]
We will review all applications after the submission deadline of 4 May, with interviews expected to be held on Monday 1 June.
Once an offer has been accepted, the successful student may be required to undergo a basic disclosure (criminal records check) check and a security check.
Supervisors: Dr Carla Molinari (ARU); Alison Hall (Colchester and Ipswich Museum Service (CIMS)); Professor Maria Vogiatzaki (ARU); Dr Aurogeeta Das (CIMS). You will undertake research at both Christchurch Mansion and ARU.
Project overview
This project explores the evolving spatial, cultural, and community significance of Christchurch Mansion in Ipswich, tracing its transformation from private residence to public museum and civic hub.
Focusing on recovering hidden or neglected stories, the research investigates how the Mansion’s rooms and uses have changed over time, and how they contributed to community identity. It aims to narrate unheard voices, document historical uses, analyse spaces and collections, and invite participatory methods with residents and visitors to co-create knowledge about the site.
Within the context of a country house, a property whose architecture and collections reflect wealth, status, and colonial expansion, this studentship timely explores how inclusive interpretative strategies can be reimagined and critically examines dynamics of post-colonial and underrepresented narratives, particularly those of women, ethnic minorities, and working-class communities.
The project is structured around four phases: archival research, spatial and collections analysis, participatory research, and synthesis. Methodologically, it combines architectural history, heritage studies, inclusive narratives and participatory practices such as creative mapping and storytelling. The student will have flexibility to shape the project according to their interests and findings, focusing on specific collections or groups.
Key outputs will include museum engagement tools, co-created materials and/or programming, academic publications, and a final toolkit for inclusive interpretation applicable to similar buildings of cultural significance. These will benefit both scholarly communities and local stakeholders, advancing spatial theory and supporting Christchurch Mansion’s strategic goals. Furthermore, the research contributes to broader debates on representation, spatial politics, and the role of museums in civic life.
Research questions
Research questions include:
- How have the uses and meanings of Christchurch Mansion’s rooms and collections evolved across historical periods?
- How can inclusive strategies be used to reclaim hidden or neglected stories of country houses?
- In what ways does the Mansion reflect and influence Ipswich’s community identities?
- How can participatory methodologies enhance the museum’s engagement with diverse audiences?
Research with Christchurch Mansion
Christchurch Mansion is owned and funded by Ipswich Borough Council and run by the CIMS partnership. CIMS is jointly run by Colchester City Council and Ipswich Borough Council. CIMS was formed in 2007 to provide stronger, more dynamic joint services for each location, and their residents and visitors.
CIMS manages three properties belonging to Ipswich Borough Council: Christchurch Mansion, Ipswich Art Gallery and Ipswich Museum. Colchester heritage venues are Colchester Castle, Hollytrees Museum and the Natural History Museum, and the CIM Resource Centre is based in Colchester.
The successful candidate will spend a significant amount of time working with collections based at Ipswich Museums, and there will be opportunities to engage with local partners and heritage organisations. The candidate will have the opportunity to engage with colleagues from across a range of disciplines and collections. This will be tailored to the candidate’s own interests and professional development needs, as relevant to the developing research.
The successful candidate will be encouraged to participate in professional development events and activities organised for all Collaborative Doctoral Partnership students who are registered with different universities studying with cultural heritage organisations across the UK. These activities are organised by a coordination team based at the V&A Museum in London and are designed to provide CDP researchers with the knowledge, networks and skills to thrive in their future careers.
We will be holding information events on Wednesday 15 April (in-person at Christchurch Mansion) and Wednesday 22 April (online).
Register for the in-person event on 15 April
Register for the online event on 22 April
All CDP projects are part of a nationwide programme called the Collaborative Doctoral Partnership consortium. The CDP consortium will host a webinar for prospective applicants on 13 April at 11am, which will provide an overview of the CDP funding scheme. To sign up, email [email protected] with the subject line “Prospective Applicant Webinar” from the email address you would like to join the online meeting from, by 5pm on 10 April.
Please note, this webinar will not focus on individual projects.
If you would like to speak with active CDP students to ask questions regarding student experience as part of the CDP scheme, contact Sarah Villis at [email protected]
Eligibility
This studentship is open to both home and international applicants.
To be classed as a home student, candidates must meet the following criteria:
- Be a UK National (meeting residency requirements), or
- Have settled status, or
- Have pre-settled status (meeting residency requirements), or
- Have indefinite leave to remain or enter.
Read the latest AHRC Training Grant Funding Guide (2025).
We want to encourage the widest range of potential students to study for a CDP studentship and are committed to welcoming students from different backgrounds to apply. We are keen to hear from individuals with varied expertise who can bring unique perspectives to the studentships.
Experiences beyond academia, including other experience in a professional setting are also highly valued; this includes diverse lived experiences and those with an understanding of diverse research practices, outputs, impacts and engagement practice.
We encourage applicants from all backgrounds to apply, even if you are not certain that you meet every criterion. We particularly welcome applications from ethnically diverse backgrounds as they are currently underrepresented at this level in this area.
Applicants should ideally have or expect to receive a relevant Masters-level qualification, or be able to demonstrate equivalent experience in a professional setting. Suitable disciplines are flexible, but might include Architecture, Art History, Museum Studies, History, or Anthropology. We are looking for applicants with passion, dedication and enthusiasm for the topic of the studentship, and potential and enthusiasm for developing skills in the museums, galleries, archives, library and heritage sector.
As a collaborative award, students will be expected to spend time at both ARU and Christchurch Mansion.
All applicants must meet UKRI terms and conditions for funding.
Details of Award
CDP doctoral training grants fund full-time studentships for four years or up to six years and eight months if studied part-time (0.6 FTE). This time period will include development activities and relevant work experience placements/internships.
The award pays tuition fees up to the value of the full-time home UKRI rate for PhD degrees. The Research Councils UK Indicative Fee Level for 2026/2027 is £5,238.
The award pays full maintenance for all students both home and international students. The UKRI National Minimum Doctoral Stipend for 2026/2027 is £21,805.
The successful candidate will also have access to a Research Training and Support Grant (RTSG) of £750 per year (pro-rata for part-time students). This can be used to support study visits, conference attendance, training and development opportunities which are necessary for the student’s primary research. In addition, the award provides a CDP maintenance payment of £600 per year supporting any additional costs students incur whilst undertaking a collaborative award.
Further details can be found on the UKRI website.
The student is eligible to receive an additional travel and related expenses grant during the course of the project courtesy of Colchester & Ipswich Museums worth up to £2,000 per year for four years, or pro rata for part-time students.
Students with an ‘overseas’ fee status are welcome to apply but will need to cover the difference between the UK and overseas fees rate. For 2026/27, this is £12,262. Students with an ‘overseas’ fee status will be required to reside in the UK until completion of the PhD.
If you are an international student, please be aware that there may be additional fees (e.g. UK student visa, Immigration Health Surcharge). For all enquiries, contact the PG administrator.
There is no fee for applying for this postgraduate course.
If you have a disability, you may be entitled to a Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) on top of your studentship. DSA helps to cover the cost of any additional support that a person studying for a doctorate might need as a result of a disability, mental health problem or specific learning difficulty. Read more about DSA.
Please let us know if you require any adjustments for the interview.
Your application will not be adversely affected by disclosing a disability, and it will be processed in exactly the same way as any other application.
For guidance, information and support for prospective students, applicants and current students with any impairment/disability or health condition, please visit our Disability Support pages.
Benefits and opportunities
This collaborative PhD studentship offers the opportunity to develop skills and experience for careers in the creative and cultural sectors, supporting a pipeline of staff into the museum and cultural sector.
As the CDP programme emphasises work-based skills, the four years of funding (up six years and eight months part-time at 0.6FTE), includes PhD research but also development activities including internships and placements, as applicable to meet the successful student’s needs. At the outset of their PhDs, students will complete an individual training needs analysis and plan. This is a unique opportunity to gain a wide range of transferable professional skills, which may include public engagement, archival research, spatial analysis, participatory facilitation, and collections interpretation.
The successful applicant will be based at the Chelmsford campus and work in collaboration with the School of Engineering and the Built Environment. ARU already hosts three PhD researchers funded through Collaborative Doctoral Partnerships, providing an established and supportive environment for this studentship. Find out more about benefits and opportunities for postgraduate research students at ARU.
CDP students also benefit from a dedicated programme of UK-wide CDP Cohort Development events delivered in tandem with the other museums, galleries and heritage organisations affiliated with the AHRC CDP scheme.