PhD Studentship at UCL: Investigating the Media and Cultural Legacies of Transatlantic Slavery and Reparations

The School of European Languages, Culture and Society (SELCS-CMII) at University College London (UCL) invites purposes for a prestigious funded PhD studentship targeted on the legacies of British transatlantic slavery and the up to date debates surrounding reparations and restorative justice. Set inside a dynamic tutorial and interdisciplinary analysis surroundings, this chance affords full tuition and an annual stipend for 4 years, starting September 2025.

About the Programme

This full-time doctoral studentship helps an in-depth investigation into the methods media and tradition interact with the historic and ongoing legacies of slavery. Hosted by SELCS-CMII—a centre famend for its interdisciplinary analysis and international cultural engagement—the profitable candidate will even collaborate intently with UCL’s Centre for the Study of the Legacies of British Slavery. The Centre has performed a significant position in making Britain’s involvement in slavery extra seen, notably by its database of compensation data paid to former British slave-owners following abolition in 1834.

This studentship seeks to help modern and socially impactful analysis on the intersections of slavery, race, reminiscence, media, and justice. The analysis mission will tackle pressing social, historic, and political questions by an interdisciplinary lens, with entry to world-leading experience and public engagement alternatives.

Research Focus

The profitable candidate’s PhD mission will examine themes similar to:

• Media representations of slavery reparations and calls for for restorative justice in the UK, Caribbean, and/or US.

• Comparative research on public discourse surrounding the legacies of the transatlantic slave commerce.

• Representations of historic trauma, cultural reminiscence, and intergenerational results of slavery in movie, literature, journalism, or digital media.

• Oral histories and public narratives from the Black British and Caribbean diaspora.

• Cultural and political dimensions of the reparations motion as portrayed in numerous media codecs.

Applicants are inspired to suggest analysis that bridges disciplines and engages with each theoretical and utilized dimensions of the subject. The work might embrace qualitative and ethnographic strategies, textual and discourse evaluation, and cultural-historical approaches.

Supervision and Support

The scholar might be supervised by:

• Dr Clive Chijioke Nwonka, Associate Professor of Film, Culture and Society at UCL, a number one researcher in race, tradition, and media.

• Professor Matthew J. Smith, Head of UCL’s Centre for the Study of the Legacies of British Slavery and knowledgeable in Caribbean historical past.

The scholar will take part in SELCS-CMII’s analysis coaching programme and have alternatives to collaborate with public engagement initiatives at each the Sarah Parker Remond Centre and the Legacies of British Slavery Centre.

Who Should Apply

UCL seeks purposes from Black British college students who display a robust tutorial background and a dedication to crucial analysis on race, media, and justice. Applicants should:

• Hold a related grasp’s diploma in disciplines similar to media research, sociology, postcolonial research, historical past, Black research, cultural research, or associated fields.

• Demonstrate tutorial or skilled expertise in Black British or Caribbean historical past, race and inequality, or media and illustration.

• Meet UCL’s doctoral entry necessities: Entry Requirements

Financial Support

The studentship contains:

• Full home tuition charges (presently £6,215/12 months)

• Annual stipend of £20,280

• Duration: 4 years (from September 2025)

• Working sample: Full-time, hybrid study accessible

Application Process

To apply, candidates should submit the following by 7 July 2025 to selcs.operations@ucl.ac.uk:

1. Curriculum vitae (max 5 pages)

2. A 2-page proposal outlining your supposed analysis space

3. A private assertion describing your motivation and suitability for the studentship

4. Transcripts from undergraduate and postgraduate research

Shortlisted candidates might be interviewed throughout the week starting 14 July 2025. Successful candidates will then be invited to formally apply by the UCL application portal.

For extra data or to debate your application, contact the scholarship lead, Dr Clive Nwonka, at c.nwonka@ucl.ac.uk.

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This studentship represents a novel alternative for a brand new era of Black British students to form public understanding and coverage discourse on slavery, race, and justice in Britain and past. Through rigorous tutorial coaching and institutional collaboration, it affords a platform for analysis that not solely displays on the previous however contributes meaningfully to future options.

To entry the full programme define and application paperwork, please go to: PhD Studentship Details PDF or the official website of UCL.

For extra alternatives, please visite the web site of Opportunities For Youth.