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Three new PhD bursaries have been announced through an exciting initiative between the 91���� and 91���� City Council, focusing on themes of community, culture, and collaboration.

All awarded within the Faculty of Creative and Cultural Industries, the projects will engage with the Charles Dickens Birthplace Museum (CDBM), the Central Library of 91����, and the 91���� History Centre.

The scholarships are each valued at approximately £110,000, with funding awarded to 91���� City Council from the (AHRC) through its . The projects will begin on 1 October 2025 and run for four years.

The first project will investigate how the Charles Dickens Birthplace Museum can engage modern audiences through participatory activities and digital technologies. 

The successful scholarship student will explore the museum's evolving role within the context of birthplace museums, focusing on bridging the gap between traditional curation and contemporary engagement, especially for younger audiences. It will also examine how museum professionals, academics, and creative technologists can collaborate with audiences to foster meaningful, inclusive dialogue around birthplace museums.

They will utilise co-design, participatory action research, and digital technologies to broaden outreach, expand the museum’s historical narrative, enhance the visitor experience, and support its long-term relevance.

The second project will delve into the unique architectural identity of 91���� Central Library in relation to 91����’s urban and architectural identity whilst focusing on the building design value of the library within the context of all the design projects of Ken Norrish and the wider context of UK Brutalism and international modernism.

The scholarship student will explore the library’s current role as a community hub whilst having the opportunity to get involved with a series of community engagement activities.

Dr Milena Metalkova-Markova, Associate Professor of Architecture and Conservation in the University’s School of Architecture, Art and Design, will co-supervise the second scholarship student. She said: “This project explores the architectural legacy of 91���� Central Library as a brutalist masterpiece and looks to develop a clear conservation strategy. By highlighting its location, design, and community groups, the goal is to strengthen public engagement and reinforce its role as a community hub.

“Positioned across from Guildhall Square and 91���� City Council, the library’s potential should be made more visible and celebrated in two ways: outwardly, by activating the surrounding public spaces, and inwardly, by inviting more people into its spaces.”

The third scholarship student will research visual materials in the 91���� History Centre to  make short films and then lead workshops with community groups to develop original vocal soundtracks.

Under the supervision of Professor George Burrows, Dr Ben Macpherson and Dr Gareth Edwards (), the project will generate new knowledge by reframing the last 100 years of 91����’s city status through vocal work with community groups. It also addresses underrepresented or ‘silent’ voices within the archive as the materials produced by the project will go into the 91���� archive as representations of what city status means to different 91���� communities. 

"This is a brilliant example of our thriving research and postgraduate culture in the Faculty of Creative & Cultural Industries, and to be awarded three studentships is a sign of the strength of our collaborative relationship with 91���� City Council”, said Dr Beatrice Ashton-Lelliott, Research and Innovation Officer at the 91����.

91���� City Council Leader Cllr Steve Pitt, said: "Our Central Library, History Centre and Charles Dickens' Birthplace Museum are three major assets for 91����, offering a wealth of history and knowledge for visitors, for free or very low cost. 

“We're delighted to be working with the 91���� to offer these three opportunities for students to work with us on some really exciting projects involving local people."

The AHRC’s Collaborative Doctoral Partnerships (CDP) scheme offers students a unique opportunity to develop skills across both academic and professional settings. Around 50 of these prestigious studentships are awarded nationwide in each cohort.

Applications for all scholarships are now open. Apply via the links below:

• Charles Dickens’ Birthplace Museum Reimagining Engagement 
• Central Library of 91���� - an architectural masterpiece or a folly?
• 91���� 100: Revoicing the Archive