UK-Postgraduate Studentships in Conservation Sciences

 Bournemouth University, UK

Research Project: New Approaches to the Interpretation of Late Medieval and Early-Post Medieval Glass Production in Britain. This research scholarships is offered by The Centre for Archaeology, Anthropology & Heritage,School of Conservation Science, Bournemouth University.

Candidates must demonstrate outstanding qualities and be motivated to complete a PhD in 3 years. All candidates must satisfy the School’s minimum doctoral entry criteria for studentships of: an honours degree at Upper Second Class (2.1) and/or an appropriate Masters degree. An IELTS (Academic) score of 6.5 minimum is essential for candidates for whom English is not their first language.

In addition to satisfying basic entry criteria, the Research Centre will look closely at the qualities, skills and background of each candidate and what they can bring to their chosen research project.

Please note within the School of Conservation Sciences that only one of these studentships will be offered to an overseas fee-based candidate and the remainder to Home/EU fee-based candidates.

Research Background

This research project will provide an opportunity to establish the nature of medieval and post-medieval glass production in a way that has been successfully achieved for other high temperature industries from this period (e.g. iron working). The majority of these types of glass sites were originally investigated in the mid 20th century when studies tended to focus on specific technological aspects of production, particularly furnace structures. Although glass was an important ‘industry’ in both these periods, the approaches to the study of many of these sites have not taken a broader view and therefore not allowed insights into wider questions of society, economy, and environmental impact.

The aim of the proposed research is to move beyond this traditional techno-centric focus to establish the wider context of medieval and post-medieval glass sites and their associated processes and structures. This will allow for a much broader interpretation of these sites and the glass industry as a whole. In order to achieve this, the project will focus on the development of a new methodology for the study of this class of production technology and will include geophysical and geochemical survey as a major element. This approach is based on successful pilot studies using geophysical survey (Welham and Willmott forthcoming) which have already highlighted the potential for applying this type of approach to glass production sites in Britain and elsewhere.

First Supervisor: Dr Kate Welham

Additional Supervisor: Paul Cheetham, Professor Mark Brisbane

Recent publications by supervisors relevant to this project :

Brisbane, M. and Gaimster, D. (Eds) (2001) Novgorod: The Archaeology of a Russian Medieval City and its Hinterland. British Museum Occasional Paper 141. London.

Cheetham, P.N. (in Press) ‘Non-invasive sub-surface mapping techniques, satellite and aerial imagery in landscape archaeology’. In Bruno D and J Thomas (eds) Handbook of Landscape Archaeology. Walnut Creek: Left Coast Press.

Doonan, R. C. P., Welham, K., et al. (2001) Specialisation and Spatialisation: The use of soil studies in defining the spatial articulation of Iron Age metallurgy. Proceedings of the 1st International Conference of Soil Science Archaeology, Szazhahombatta, Hungary, 61-6.

Welham, K. and Willmott, H. (in preparation) Glassmaking in Gloucestershire: Woodchester Glasshouse revisited.

To discuss this opportunity further please contact Dr Kate Welham by email: kwelham@bournemouth.ac.uk

How To Apply

Please complete the application form which can be downloaded here , ensuring that you:

• Enter the title of the studentship for which you want to apply and complete all relevant sections of the application form.
• In the application form you are asked to submit a synopsis, of not more than 500 words, outlining your understanding of the theme for which you are applying, the approach you would envisage taking and what qualities you believe you bring to the research community.
• Please note incomplete applications will not be considered so please ensure you complete the form.
• It is important to note that these studentships only apply to the advertised themes as set out on the relevant Research Centre’s website. Any applications for studentships not relating to these themes will not be considered. However, details of how to apply for full- and part-time self-funded study can be found on the Graduate School web pages.
• Successful applicants will be invited to interview either at the University or by video conference.

Eligibility Criteria
Candidates for the fully-funded PhD studentship must demonstrate outstanding qualities and be motivated to complete a PhD in 3 years. All candidates must satisfy the University’s minimum doctoral entry criteria for studentships of: an honours degree at Upper Second Class (2.1) and/or an appropriate Masters degree. An IELTS (Academic) score of 6.5 minimum is essential for candidates for whom English is not their first language.

In addition to satisfying basic entry criteria, the BU will look closely at the qualities, skills and background of each candidate and what they can bring to their chosen research project.

Closing Date
The final close date for applications is 31 July 2008.

However, applications are assessed independently and offers may be made to ideal candidates throughout the process. As such – apply early to avoid disappointment.

Send The Application Form to:

Louise Pearson
email: lpearson@bournemouth.ac.uk

Address:
Bournemouth University
Christchurch House
Talbot Campus
Poole
Dorset
BH12 5BB
UK