Culture-led wellbeing: investigating the changing skills of the cultural workforce
A new ESRC DTP Collaborative Studentship hosted by the University of Leicester and University of Oxford Gardens, Libraries and Museums (GLAM)
https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/cross_fac/mgsdtp/collaborativeandjoint/#collaborative
The School of Museum Studies (SMS), University of Leicester, as part of Midlands Graduate School is now inviting applications for an ESRC Doctoral Studentship in association with our collaborative partner the University of Oxford Gardens, Libraries and Museums (GLAM), to commence in October 2021.
This project will examine the emerging professional practice of culture-led wellbeing. GLAM has an established portfolio of innovative health and wellbeing programmesembedded in strategic plans, using collections from across its venues (Bodleian Libraries, Oxford Botanic Garden and Arboretum, Ashmolean Museum, History of Science Museum, Museum of Natural History and Pitt Rivers Museum). This collaborative PhD will work with GLAM staff to support this activity, and the aims of the research are:
- To conduct an in-depth exploration of GLAM staff views on their emerging roles and skill sets in relation to health and wellbeing activity.
- To produce recommendations for organisational change for cultural organisations seeking to embed this practice.
- To develop training for the cultural, heritage and healthcare sectors for wellbeing-focused practice and careers.
The research will adopt a qualitative, action-research methodology, with the opportunity to select a number of venues for in-depth research while based in Oxford. Through the PhD, the student will develop expertise in theories of museum practice, wellbeing and social work. Collaborative outputs will include writing internal and external recommendations, and the student will be supported to develop training for the sector.
The project will be supervised by Professor Richard Sandell and Dr Nuala Morse, School of Museum Studies, University of Leicester, and by Lucy Shaw, Head of Partnerships and Programmes at GLAM and Susan McCormack, Director of Public Engagement, Ashmolean Museum
We want to encourage the widest range of potential candidates and are committed to welcoming applicants from different backgrounds and different disciplines. The project will suit a student or a culture/healthcare practitioner who is interested in creative practice at the crossover between health, social care and culture.
Application Process
To be considered for this PhD, please complete the Collaborative Studentship application form (available at https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/cross_fac/mgsdtp/collaborativeandjoint/#collaborative), a CV, and email this to Christine Cheesman, Postgraduate Administrator, cmc17@leicester.ac.uk. Shortlisted applicants will also be required to provide two references and a sample of writing.
Application deadline: Friday 5th March, noon
Online interviews with shortlisted candidates will take place on the 15th March