AHRC Collaborative Doctoral Partnership (CDP) Studentship-Reconnecting Museum collections with ecological knowledge in East Africa (1870–1930)

About the Project

Application Deadline: 13 May 2026

Interviews: 1 June 2026

The British Museum and the University of Lincoln are pleased to announce the availability of a fully funded studentship from October 2026 under the AHRC’s Collaborative Doctoral Partnerships (CDP) scheme.

The project will investigate how museum collections can reveal histories of human and non-human relationships in East Africa with a likely focus on Kenya. At the centre of this study will be cultural materials such as feathers, skins and tusks, including spectacular headdresses, cloaks and ornaments, collected between 1870 and 1930, now cared for by the British Museum. It will explore what collections reveal about human/non-human interactions in East Africa in the colonial period and how these relationships were shaped or obscured colonial collecting practice. It will ask how East African communities understand the changing use of these material and objects and what this can tell us about changing ecological relationships in the era of climate crisis. Archival research and collaboration will East African communities will reinsert this ecological information into the histories of the objects, using oral history to document living knowledge before it is lost.

There is scope for the student to shape the project, depending on their interest and expertise. They may direct the research focus towards specific regions, communities and determine the balance of focus on material type. They can also shape the methodology and deployment of approaches, combining archival research, oral history, participatory research and photo-elicitation. The collection can be searched online at Collection | British Museum.

Research with the British Museum

This research studentship is one allocated to the British Museum by the AHRC. The successful student will be expected to spend time carrying out research and gaining relevant experience with the partner in the British Museum in London as part of the studentship. The successful candidate will be expected to undertake qualitative research in East Africa (Kenya or a neighbouring country) as part of this studentship. They will be supported by the supervisory team to develop this aspect of the project.

We would encourage prospective applicants to visit Research Studentships | Postgraduate Study | University of Lincoln for more information on this studentship opportunity and click on ‘AHRC Collaborative Doctoral Partnership (CDP) studentship’ drop-down.

Studentship details

• Duration: 4 years full-time (or up to 8 years part-time)
• Fees covered: Full UK home fees (international students will be required to pay the difference between home fees and international fees – see details on the webpage).
• Stipend: £23,405 per year (tax free) comprising:
  • £21,805 UKRI stipend
  • £1,000 London‑based CDP allowance
  • £600 CDP maintenance payment
• Additional funding: Up to £1,500 per year for travel and research expenses.
• Includes access to CDP-wide training and professional development events.

Further details can be found on the UKRI website

Eligibility

• Open to Home and International applicants (with international students paying the difference in fees).
• Home status requires UK/Irish citizenship or settled/pre‑settled/ILR status.
• Applicants should hold (or be completing) a relevant Master's degree or have equivalent professional experience.
• Suitable fields include History, Anthropology, Archaeology, Art History, Environmental Studies, Museums/Heritage, or related disciplines.
• Commitment to fieldwork in East Africa and work at both institutions is required.
• Applications from Global Majority applicants particularly encouraged.

How to Apply

Please see the ‘Project details and how to apply’ section of Research Studentships | Postgraduate Study | University of Lincoln.

Queries:

• Dr Zoe Cormack – zcormack@britishmuseum.org
• Dr Sarah Longair – slongair@lincoln.ac.uk