AHRC Collections & Communities in the East of England Collaborative Doctoral Partnership (CC-EE CDP)

The University of Cambridge Faculty of English and Department of History and Philosophy of Science, alongside Cambridge University Library and the University Museum of Zoology Cambridge are pleased to announce a fully-funded Collaborative doctoral studentship, from 1 October 2026, under the AHRC's Collaborative Doctoral Partnership Scheme.

Project Overview:

This project draws on East Anglia's remarkable entomology collections and archives, which hold exceptional potential for humanities research. The region is of current and historical national significance for entomology because of its historically diverse habitats, yet has also suffered one of the highest levels of habitat change in the UK. Its insect collections are therefore unique datasets for tracing biodiversity shifts over time. The project examines how specimens are intertwined with the documents created by their collectors - a form of 'life writing.' Because insects are small, diverse and abundant, collectors could build large collections and long time-series of specimens, and correspondingly rich written records. These include notebooks, labels, publications, annotated books, diaries and correspondence. Together, these materials form an insect archive that reveals evolving relationships between people and insects. The student will develop their own research questions, with wide scope to choose focus areas, periods, taxa and documentary forms.

Funding

CDP doctoral training grants fund full-time studentships for four years or up to seven years 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.

Further details about the project, eligibility and application process can be found in the Further Information document.

• Start date: 1 October 2026
• Application Deadline: 3 May 2026
• Interviews are expected to take place online on 12 June 2026
• Information session online 24 March 11:00 - 12:00 pm BST Register your interest here: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=RQSlSfq9eUut41R7TzmG6fSCIWkYzRhOr5OpFaF3WfJUMlRBWVMxSlRBM0E2VUNTWTNPUE5FWlM4Ty4u

Please quote reference GG49075 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

Key information

• Department/location: Faculty of English
• Reference: GG49075
• Category: Studentships
• Date published: 12 March 2026
• Closing date: 3 May 2026