AHRC International Placement SchemePresenters: 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)

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

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

IPS PartnersLibrary 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

LoC ‘Cubicle’

2012 LoC StatsApplications 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%

LoC IPS Alumni FeedbackThe 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!

IPS PartnersNational Institutes for the Humanities (NIHU), JapanSix 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)

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

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Tokyo_Montage_2012.png

NIHU IPS Alumni FeedbackReceiving 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.

IPS PartnersSarai 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

Sarai 2012 Stats

Places available 5

Applications Received 9

Awards made 5

Success Rate 56%

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.

 

IPS PartnersHuntington Library, Art Collections and Botanical Gardens, CAWorld-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.

 

Art CollectionsFour 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.

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!”

Huntington IPS Alumni FeedbackThe 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 canattend.  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!

 

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

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

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.' 

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.  

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.

 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.

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

LOC HUNTINGTON NIHU SARAIWho can apply -AHRC & ESRC PhD

-AHRC & ESRC ECRs- AHRC PhD- AHRC ECRs

- AHRC PhD- ECRs

- AHRC PhD- ECRs

Places available 40 (TBC) 10 11 5Duration 3 – 6 months 3 – 6 months 3 – 6 months Up to 3 months2013/ 14 placement cycle

1st Oct 2013 – 31st Sept 2014 (must start on 1st working Monday of a month )

1st July 2013 – 30th June 2014

1st July 2013 – 30th June 2014

1st July 2013 – 30th April 2014

Travel stipend £600 £600 £800 £600Living stipend £1000 £1000 £1000 £1000Additional funding None None None Up to £300 for

equipment costs Accommodation provided

No No, but Huntington can provide a list of available housing

Some institutions may assist with finding/ provide accommodation

Yes, with cost deducted from the IPS stipend

Language requirements (other than English)

None (unless the proposed research is to be conducted in another language)

None (unless the proposed research is to be conducted in another language)

None/high level of Japanese depending on the NIHU institute

None (unless the proposed research is to be conducted in another language)

Application documents

Application form 2 page CV for ECRs

Application form2 page CV for allSecond reference

Application form 2 page CV for ECRs

Application form 2 page CV for ECRs

Quick Guide to IPS Eligibility Requirements and Award Entitlements

Please see AHRC IPS institution webpages for detailed IPS institution-specific guidance.

2013/14 Places Available

Up to:

• 40 Library of Congress (TBC)• 11 NIHU• 10 Huntingdon• 5 Sarai

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

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

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

Website:www.ahrc.ac.uk/FundingOpportunities/Pages/InternationalPlacementScheme.aspx

Application GuidancePresentations – updated after these eventsAlumni IPS research titlesPodcastsCase studies

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Contact:ips@ahrc.ac.uk