University News Last updated 30 January
Birmingham City University’s (BCU) strong track record of arts and humanities research has secured funding for 15 full-time PhD students over the next five years.
The prestigious Doctoral Landscape Award, from the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), will enable students to train as researchers, develop their skills and experience, and prepare for careers in academia as well as the public and private sectors.
Dr Jenny Harding, Director of the Doctoral Research College at BCU and institutional lead in the AHRC Midlands Hub, said: “We’re delighted that BCU has received this award, which will enable us to expand on our high-quality doctoral training provision in the arts and humanities.
“Attracting talented and diverse students to pursue doctoral level study is critical to developing researchers of the future and will advance BCU’s research expertise and capacity in art and design, English, law, music and performing arts, and media.
“Studentships in collaboration with creative industries and cultural organisations will benefit the local region and economy.”
Only 50 universities across the UK have received the AHRC funding, which will fund three BCU studentships per year over a five-year period.
The University will fund an additional nine studentships over the first three years.
Students will contribute to the AHRC’s three-fold strategy for postgraduate research funding, alongside Collaborative Doctoral Partnerships and Doctoral Focal Awards.
Oliver Carter, Professor of Creative Economies and the Doctoral Landscape Award Project Lead at BCU, said: “The award is testament to BCU’s reputation for arts and humanities research, as well as our thriving doctoral researcher community.
“We’re excited to continue our strong working relationship with other regional universities through the Midlands Hub, building on our participation in the Midlands4Cities Doctoral Training Partnership.”
AHRC Executive Chair Professor Christopher Smith said: “The AHRC doctoral landscape awards provide flexible funding to allow universities to build on existing excellence in research and opportunities for innovation across the arts and humanities.
“They will support the development of talented people and, alongside our other doctoral schemes, contribute to a vibrant, diverse and internationally attractive research and innovation system.”
BCU is committed to creating knowledge as part of its Strategy 2030 – ‘Rooted in Birmingham, Reaching Beyond’ – which launched late in 2024.
All universities receiving these awards will be part of an AHRC-supported regional Hub. BCU will be part of the Midlands Hub led by the University of Nottingham.
Image: Dr Jenny Harding, Director of the Doctoral Research College and Oliver Carter, Professor of Creative Economies.