Ahrc ips showcase presentation - london 161112 - revised website version 140213
1. AHRC International
Placement Scheme
Presenters: Sam Lambshead & Allie Brown, AHRC
Venue: University of Westminster
Date: 16th November 2012
(updated 14/02/13 after extension to ECR eligibility and NIHU & Sarai application deadline)
2. History of the IPS
• 2005: Library of Congress (LoC) Scheme launched jointly with ESRC: open to doctoral students,
post-doc fellows and RAs
• 2008: National Institutes for the Humanities (NIHU), Japan, joined as a separate but analogous
AHRC-only scheme: same applicant eligibility as LoC
• 2005 to 2011: 153 LoC & NIHU awards – average 22 p/year
As AHRC international activities evolved, it became possible to provide more opportunities based on
LoC/NIHU model. USA & India identified as priority countries for RCUK/AHRC’s international strategy:-
• 2012: Huntington & Sarai joined; all 4 schemes re-launched as IPS; ECRs admitted
• 2012: 65 awards (51 forecast - flexible depending on application numbers, budget, quality,
duration etc):
- 48 LoC (43 AHRC; 5 ESRC)
- 10 Huntington
- 5 Sarai
- 2 NIHU (11 places - language/subject)
• Annual feedback from fellows so scheme is constantly improving: pre-placement networking
• Future international strategy won’t prioritise countries, but will ‘seize opportunities’ where
there is a chance for excellent research collaborations, to leverage resource etc
3. Aims of the Scheme
Three main aims:
1. Provide dedicated access to the internationally
renowned research collections/ programmes/
expertise held at the scheme institutions
2. Through such access, to enhance the depth, range and
quality of research activities conducted by scholars
3. Create opportunities for networking with other
international scholars at those institutions
4. IPS Partners
Library of Congress, (LoC) Washington
• Largest library in the world
– More than 151.8 million items on 838 miles of bookshelves
– 34.5 million books and print materials
– 3.3m recordings, 13.4m photos, 5.4m maps, 6.5m pieces of sheet music and 66.6m manuscripts
• Based in the Kluge (Kloogey) Centre
• Scholars can spend between three and six months accessing the collections
• Travel and living contribution paid by AHRC, in addition to AHRC stipend/salary
• Scholars arrange travel, visa and accommodation
• Scholars given their own study ‘cubicle’ for the duration of their stay – includes PC, printing etc
• Scholars are assigned a LoC email address – can be very helpful
• Scholars may be assigned an intern (usually only in the summer months)
• Networking & collaboration opportunities are actively encouraged – Scholars are asked to present
a ‘work in progress’ talk and ‘brown bag’ lunch together.
• Overwhelmingly positive feedback for both the facilities and staff, namely the AHRC contact Mary
Lou Reker
8. 2012 LoC Stats
Applications from AHRC scholars 47
Applications from ESRC scholars 13
Total applications received 60
Awards made to AHRC scholars 43
Awards made to ESRC scholars 5
Total awards made 48
AHRC applications % success rate 91%
ESRC applications % success rate 38%
Overall % success rate 80%
9. LoC IPS Alumni Feedback
The library is exceptional and awe-inspiring (especially the main reading room). It has been an absolute pleasure to
use these facilities.
The Kluge programme of lectures and seminars was another highlight.
The scholarship represented a break from teaching and administration.
I would highly recommend to any AHRC or ESRC student... A truly unique research experience.
The library is remarkable accommodating with unique material.
I feel my time there added significant elements to my project that could not have been provided elsewhere.
I would be keen to recommend the scheme and to take further opportunities in the future.
(My student) while at LoC, revised one publication and won an award for another, so her career has materially
benefitted in terms of outputs well beyond her thesis.
The atmosphere is friendly and collegiate, and the staff went out of their way to facilitate any requests and ensure
the environment was conductive to good work.
The collections are of such a range that they are simply incomparable to my University library.
As well as the collections, the librarians are a resource in themselves: highly knowledgeable in their subject area,
know the collections thoroughly and always willing to help.
The ‘brown bag’ lunches were a great way to talk to scholars from a wide range of disciplines and get suggestions on
your work from perhaps unexpected perspectives.
I WISH I HAD APPLIED TO STAY FOR LONGER!
10. IPS Partners
National Institutes for the Humanities (NIHU), Japan
Six Inter-University Research Institutes supporting academic research on culture and humanities:
• Research Institute for Humanity and Nature (2 IPS places currently available)
• International Research Centre for Japanese Studies (2 IPS places available)
• National Museum of Ethnology (2 IPS places available)
• National Museum of Japanese History (2 IPS places available)
• National Institute of Japanese Literature (1 IPS place available)
• National Institute of Japanese Language and Linguistics (2 IPS places available)
National repositories of cultural materials. NIHU complies and presents the research results through exhibitions, printed and online
publications, databases, and other media make them widely available in and outside Japan, to contribute to the broader
advancement of scholarship.
• IPS fellows based at one of the six NIHU Institutes - mainly in/around Tokyo and Kyoto
• Scholars can spend between three and six months
• Scholars given their own study area
• Scholars assigned a supervisor/mentor
• Networking & collaboration opportunities actively encouraged
• Travel and living contribution paid by AHRC, in addition to AHRC stipend/salary
• Fellows arrange travel, visas & accommodation, although accommodation sometimes provided
Japanese language skills compulsory for National Institute for Japanese Literature (NIJL) and to the National Museum of Japanese
History (NMJH). Conversational Japanese advantageous but not compulsory for other institutes.
NIHU applications generally low (small subject area; language (although now relaxed) = high application V success rate
Contact to check collections, language etc – details in NIHU guidance
Research likely to be Japanese/Asian based, exception of NME- excellent for museum studies (and no language required)
11. NIHU IPS Alumni Research Titles
• HIV/AIDS in Japan - A Health Promotion Perspective
• The Vocabulary of Play; Design in Japan’s Economic Bubble, 1986-1991
• Representations of Apocalypse in Modern Japanese Culture
• Interpreting Japan: Central European Architecture and Design 1920-1940
• Recontextualising the George Brown Collection through creative ceramic
practice and community engagement
• How compatible are Japanese conceptions of Humanity and Nature with
the use of rights as a legal tool in environmental protection measures?
Full list of all NIHU titles is availaible on the AHRC NIHU webpages
13. NIHU IPS Alumni Feedback
Receiving the IPS at an advanced stage in my doctoral studies was crucial.
Meeting up with other AHRS IPS fellows before my placement was a great help; we even met up in Osaka.
The library resources proved invaluable in supplementing literature not available in the UK.
I had my own work cubicle and was given full borrowing rights (up to 100 books) and unlimited printing credit.
My institute offered me very affordable accommodation (highly prized as accommodation can be expensive).
On my arrival, NIHU had kindly arranged for an overseas English-speaking doctoral student to show me round.
My institute held lectures, seminars, conferences and performances involving the research community.
My institute was very helpful in helping me settle in and remained conscientious about my welfare throughout.
I have established some close friendships and contacts.
Informal discussions with other researchers greatly helped me work and introduced me to new texts.
Spending four months in Kyoto was an amazing experience. The institute's accommodation provided a peaceful and
conducive environment for focussed work; the culturally enriching experiences of Kyoto was just as accessible.
Since my return, my NIHU supervisor and I have stayed in touch: I have just returned to NIHU for a week for follow-up
research and to see my supervisor and the some of the staff who helped me settle in when I first arrived.
On the back of my IPS scholarship, two abstract papers I submitted at NIHU have been accepted as panel papers.
14. IPS Partners
Sarai Research Programme, Centre for the Study of Developing Societies, Delhi
• A programme of The Centre for the Study of Developing Societies (CSDS)
• A media lab which attracts practising artists, musicians, creative practitioners, media scholars etc. A
research environment, rather than a collections-based resource
• Practice led scholars are particularly encouraged, also networking & collaboration
• Placements last up to three months
• Travel and living contribution paid by AHRC, in addition to AHRC stipend/salary
• Fellows arrange travel and visas; Sarai provide accommodation (cost deducted from stipend)
Funded IPS titles include*:
– Breaking Sense(ation) in Moving Image Art: in Search of a Method for Seeing Anew
• Aiming to develop a research exhibition
• Using a process based a approach rather than object based
– Talking of law in colonial India
• Scholar is an Early Career Research Networking PI
• Accessing archives in Delhi, but also sharing and discussing findings with Sarai scholars
– Curatorial Variations: working inbetween online and offline dimensions
• Examining the impact of web technologies on artistic production
• Researching the archives of Sarai’s own projects
*Full list of titles is available on the AHRC Sarai webpages
18. Sarai IPS Alumni Feedback
First impressions are that I'm really glad I came and it's a great opportunity.
The apartment and facilities that Sarai provide are very comfortable and welcoming.
Sarai is just a ten minute walk away from the apartment, and the university is also walking distance.
I've already linked up with some students and staff and political campaigns at the university.
Sarai is a very interesting and interdisciplinary network of artists, researchers and fellows.
There is a good sense of intellectual and creative community.
There are a lot of opportunities to meet other researchers and get acquainted with their varied work.
Sarai is holding an exhibition where I have set up a researchers' open studio and been talking about my
work.
You will receive support, advice, information from a network of contacts from the centre.
Delhi life and Sarai staff are easy going and relaxed. Be prepared to work in a more laid-back timezone.
I get the impression you have to be prepared to expect the unexpected and be open to possibilities,
which is a good thing in my opinion.
19. IPS Partners
Huntington Library, Art Collections and Botanical Gardens, CA
World-leading cultural, research and educational centre. A private, non-profit institution, founded in 1919 by Henry
E. Huntington, an exceptionally successful businessman with a special interest in books, art, and gardens.
Library
• One of the world’s great independent research libraries, specializing in British and American history and literature,
and the history of science, medicine and technology.
• Also, medieval manuscripts, books printed before 1501, maps, travel literature and the American Southwest.
• Works span 11th century to the present, with the greatest concentration in the English Renaissance.
• 7 million manuscripts, 410,000 rare books, 270,000 general collection books, 1.3 million photos, prints, ephemera.
• Collections large and diverse and some remain uncatalogued - undiscovered treasures.
20. Art Collections
Four galleries:
• Huntington Gallery, most comprehensive collections in the US of 18th and 19th century British
and French art - Gainsborough’s Blue Boy and Lawrence’s Pinkie.
• Galleries of American Art - 1690s to the 1950s - Mary Cassatt’s Breakfast in Bed, Frederic Edwin
Church’s Chimborazo, and Edward Hopper’s The Long Leg.
Botanical Gardens
• Research resource in themselves: 120 acres, more than a dozen specialized gardens - Desert
Garden, Japanese Garden, Rose Garden, Chinese garden.
23. Huntington IPS Placement
• Scholars can spend between three and six months accessing the collections
• Networking & collaboration opportunities actively encouraged – library closes at
lunchtime
• Specialist staff
• Fellows paid a living and travel stipend; AHRC stipend/salary continues
• Scholars arrange their own travel, visas and accommodation
• 2012 the first year, but fellows reportedly “VERY HAPPY!”
24. Huntington IPS Alumni Feedback
The photos don't even begin to convey the grandeur and scale of the library!
The library is an excellent resource: the staff are incredibly friendly and willing to help.
I have been able to discuss my project with a curator who is intimately acquainted with my field.
I get the impression that no matter what your area of interest, there will be someone who can happily advise you as to
how to best direct your research to make the most of the resources.
Aside from their collections, their rare books and books which have not been published in England are incredibly useful.
There are so many scholars from all over the world, working on a vast range of things, all of whom are friendly and who
you can chat to over lunch or during coffee breaks.
There is a real atmosphere of an academic community, reflected in the wide choice of lectures and tours fellows can
attend.
It's a great opportunity to bolster your research or develop a deeper background knowledge of your subject in a
wonderful setting.
It's a great opportunity and provides a real taste of what a career in academia can lead to.
I have really enjoyed spending time with the other AHRC students in a setting where we can spend time learning about
each other's projects and the institutions we work in.
I WOULD STRONGLY RECOMMEND ANYONE CONSIDERING APPLYING FOR THE IPS SCHEME TO GO FOR IT!
25. Benefits of IPS to Host Institutions
• Collections are used and publicised – both within academy and
external – public events & engagement
• IPS fellows can advise on gaps in collections and enhance intuitions’
staff knowledge
• Some collections are uncatalogued – IPS fellows can unearth buried
treasures
• Active research collaboration on some awards – e.g. If studentship
is attached to Research Grant
• Institutions’ own remit to further research
Bear in mind when making application – esp 1
26. Benefits of IPS to Home Institutions
• Fellows bring knowledge back to home institutions
• IPS fellows more likely to submit on time and higher
quality
• International links forged
27. http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/art-history/news/james-ford-award.aspx
PhD student awarded AHRC International Placement Scheme
James Ford, a PhD student in Art History, has been
awarded a prestigious AHRC International Placement
Scheme to work at the Library of Congress in Washington
DC. The placement will be for 3 months in 2013 on the
topic of 'The Art of Nationhood in the US Capitol and the
Palace of Westminster Decorative Schemes'.
On receiving this award James said
'I feel very fortunate to have been awarded a placement
as part of the AHRC IPS. The research I will undertake at
the Library of Congress will make a significant contribution towards a chapter in my final thesis.
Located on Capitol Hill, the placement will allow me to further explore first hand the relationships
between art and national identity in legislative buildings.'
28. http://research.blogs.lincoln.ac.uk/2012/09/18/lincoln-researchers-on-hunt-for-world-war-comic-
books-in-the-worlds-biggest-library/
Lincoln Researchers on Hunt for World War Comic Books in the World’s Biggest Library
Researchers studying how comic strips reflected popular
attitudes during the world wars will spend six months
searching for fresh evidence in the archives of the
world’s largest library – The Library of Congress in
Washington DC.
The Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) is to
fund Andrew Kerr and Adam Sherif to study at the
prestigious US institution as part of their PhDs for the
‘Comics and the World Wars- a cultural record’ grant
project, led by Professor Jane Chapman of the University
of Lincoln.
The two research students from Lincoln’s School of Humanities will have their work cut out: The
Library of Congress has more than 150 million items in its collection, including almost 35 million
books and printed materials, spread across more than 830 miles of shelving.
However, the US authorities will allocate special support to the pair, including their own archivist
consultants, individual offices, free photocopying services and networking lunches where they will
meet other international scholars.
Adam’s research is investigating how gender and ethnicity are reflected in world war comics.
Andrew’s work looks at representations of heroes and villains in the same period – including ways in
which political enemies were satirised.
Their research proposals for the AHRC’s highly competitive International Placement Scheme
achieved marks by external peer reviewers that are near to the top. The awards come in addition to
the grant scholarships that both Andrew and Adam are already receiving. The extra resources will
enable them to travel to the US and to live in Washington while studying at the largest single
publications archive in the world.
Research supervisor and principal investigator on the grant project, Prof. Jane Chapman, said: “The
Library of Congress is the most incredible resource for scholars of any discipline. It is a vibrant
knowledge hub where great minds from around the world congregate and it will be a marvellous
experience and privilege for Andrew and Adam to have such access to its vast archives of printed
material. “This is the first time Lincoln researchers have been awarded funding for Library of
Congress by the AHRC. It is further proof of the importance that the AHRC attaches to our project.”
Andrew said: “The Library of Congress is the most valuable resource for any researcher in the world.
To get this opportunity to work there in this early stage of my career is incredible.”
Adam said: “They have the greatest comic book holdings in the world. I’m really looking forward to
seeing genuine Golden Age comic books. As much as you can search for material through online
catalogues, there’s no way of telling what’s really in there other than reading it.”
Andrew will start his six-month placement at the Library of Congress in October 2012 and Adam will
start in January 2013.
29. http://www.cmpcp.ac.uk/news.html
CMPCP PhD student awarded scholarship to undertake study at the Library of Congress
Myles Eastwood, who holds a CMPCP studentship at the University of Cambridge, has been awarded
an AHRC International Placement Scheme (IPS) scholarship to undertake study at the Library of
Congress. The IPS scheme aims 'to support and encourage the placement of UK postgraduate
students and early career researchers on short-term fellowships at a number of overseas research
institutions' and consists of a contribution towards travel and subsistence costs. Myles will
undertake a three-month listening project provisionally entitled 'The American Invasion', which will
assess the influence of US blues 78 records on UK blues revival LPs of the 1960s. CMPCP
congratulates Myles on this achievement.
http://www.ssees.ucl.ac.uk/news.htm
IPS AHRC FELLOWSHIP
Congratulations to research student Richard Morgan who has received an AHRC International
Placement Fellowship for three months at the Library of Congress, Washington DC. The Scheme
supports the placement of UK postgraduate students and early career researchers on short-term
fellowships at a number of overseas research institutions.
30. Benefits of IPS to Applicants
• Placements between 3 and 6 months (Sarai capped at 3 months)
• £1000 a month living costs, plus flight costs (£600 USA & India, £800 Japan);
AHRC/ESRC stipend continues for existing AHRC/ESRC award holders
• Access to host institute’s research facilities and scholars/curators – many not available
in UK/ROW
• A research space (LoC private cubicle, PC , free printing etc)
• Networking & collaboration opportunities encouraged esp USA – LoC presentation of
work & ‘Brown bag lunches’; Huntington library closes at lunch, conferences, Embassy
invites
• Adds value to current and future research - can be career/life changing
• Introduction to non-UK research environment – increasingly identified in application as
part of career plan
• AHRC have created relationships with institutions
• Association with the institution ‘opens doors’ not available if independent researcher
– LoC email, take books home; Huntington website
• Prestigious awards - IPS ‘Club’ – IPS friendships; AHRC monitor, case studies, events
31. Quick Guide to IPS Eligibility Requirements and Award Entitlements
LOC HUNTINGTON NIHU SARAI
Who can apply -AHRC & ESRC PhD - AHRC PhD - AHRC PhD - AHRC PhD
-AHRC & ESRC ECRs - AHRC ECRs - ECRs - ECRs
Places available 40 (TBC) 10 11 5
Duration 3 – 6 months 3 – 6 months 3 – 6 months Up to 3 months
2013/ 14 placement 1st Oct 2013 – 1st July 2013 – 1st July 2013 – 1st July 2013 –
cycle 31st Sept 2014 (must 30th June 2014 30th June 2014 30th April 2014
start on 1st working
Monday of a month )
Travel stipend £600 £600 £800 £600
Living stipend £1000 £1000 £1000 £1000
Additional funding None None None Up to £300 for
equipment costs
Accommodation No No, but Huntington Some institutions may Yes, with cost
provided can provide a list of assist with finding/ deducted from the IPS
available housing provide stipend
accommodation
Language None (unless the None (unless the None/high level of None (unless the
requirements (other proposed research is proposed research is Japanese depending proposed research is
than English) to be conducted in to be conducted in on the NIHU institute to be conducted in
another language) another language) another language)
Application Application form Application form Application form Application form
documents 2 page CV for ECRs 2 page CV for all 2 page CV for ECRs 2 page CV for ECRs
Second reference
Please see AHRC IPS institution webpages for detailed IPS institution-specific guidance.
33. Who can Apply
• Early career researchers without current AHRC funding may now apply to NIHU & Sarai. This may
be extended to other hosts for 2014/2015 applications (opening A/W 2013).
• PhD students must have current AHRC/ESRC* funding for their doctorate. The PhD award must
be ‘live’ i.e. funded for entire duration of IPS.
• Applicants must be going to do primary research; placement not for writing up
• IPS research must be in an AHRC/ESRC* subject area/s and be relevant to applicant’s current
research. If doing PhD, IPS research should be part of it not additional
• IPS must be within the period of any current AHRC award – no extra time awarded
• 3 – 6 month placements from 1st July/Oct 2013 (12 month cycle)
• Full and part-time (IPS must be full time); full and fees-only
• IPS alumni may reapply, but not to same IPS institution
• Resubmission of a previously unsuccessful application is permitted
• Multiple applications permitted, but must be distinct, specific to institution &non-concurrent
• *ESRC applicants may only apply to LoC
34. How to Apply
• Open for applications 20th November 2012 (TBC) - announced on website, twitter, email etc
• Application deadline approx 15th January 2013
• Applications re-open for NIHU & Sarai from 15th Feb 2013 – 21st March 2013.
• Outcomes April/May/June 2013 depending on the institution and application deadline (see
application guidance)
• Online applications via J-eS – jointly submitted by RO/student (see application guidance)
• Applicant form: applicant & supervisor statement; CV required for all ECRs
- Huntington additional info: CV, secondary academic reference
• Mock application form on IPS webpage (Word)
• MUST follow the application guidance on IPS webpages
• Researching institutions’ collections online is essential
• May be beneficial to contact institutions for advice on collections, duration (see guidance)
Assessment: ‘Light touch’ – applicants already AHRC/ESRC funded. Joint review process:
- Applications peer reviewed by host institutions
- AHRC/ESRC moderate applications and reviews and make funding decision
35. Application Advice
• Quality of applications received is high, so competition will be tough
• 2012 had an overall 77% success rate, but this was exceptionally high
• Relevance of collections is key: research and clearly identify the collections/ programmes/
expertise you wish to access and why - esp if unique or rare
• Contact the institutions’ curators/librarians prior to applying
• Show that the proposed work relates directly to and enhances your existing project
• Can you can be ‘of value’ to the host institution as well as the placement being of ‘value’
to your research - ‘Heritage Smells’ project
• Time spent at the institution must be of appropriate length and at appropriate time in
career/research
• Address potential networking or personal development opportunities; additional skills
e.g. Languages
• Refer to the application guidance and grading scale; ensure your application
demonstrates how you meet all the criteria