Library Scholarships in the Arts, Letters and Social Sciences at the University of Edinburgh

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Applications for library scholarships for postdoctoral researchers in any field of the arts, humanities and social sciences are invited to examine special collections held at the University of Edinburgh. The University of Edinburgh’s collections include approximately 100 km of heritage documents, including archives, manuscripts, rare books, art, musical instruments and other museum collections. Many of these unique collections have not been cataloged or researched, offering new opportunities to a wide range of scholarly disciplines.

The IASH offers an enviable location in one of the most inspiring cities in the world, as well as a dynamic network of international connections. Home to the Scottish Enlightenment, Edinburgh has a rich cultural heritage of scholarship and creativity that continues to the present day. In this haven of libraries and archives, galleries and music venues – all located in the middle of emblematic architecture – IASH helps researchers take the humanities beyond campus to engage the public and work with organizations in a variety of sectors.

The Institute welcomes visiting researchers from around the world. Since 1970, more than 1,250 scholars have passed through our doors. Up to 30 researchers are in residence at any time in our incredible – and eclectic – 19th century building, right on the edge of the University’s central campus, offering a view of the meadows. From more than 65 countries, IASH scholarship recipients form a global community of alumni and many relationships throughout their careers begin at the Institute.

The collections

There are many areas of potential interest. At this time, we invite applications that focus on one of the following:

Scottish session documents

In the 18th and 19th centuries, all articles submitted to the Scottish Sessional Court in Edinburgh – the Supreme Civil Court of Scotland – had to be printed. These articles provide fascinating information on the finer details of everyday life in Scotland, from disputes over land ownership to discussions of inheritance and business ownership. They also provide extensive evidence on women and social groups whose voices are otherwise absent from the historical record. They offer enormous potential for interdisciplinary research, particularly through digitization. With the collections of the Advocates and Signet libraries in Edinburgh, there are around 250,000 individual documents – the greatest hidden print heritage of the Scottish Enlightenment.

Thomas Nelson Archives

We have the archives and library of Edinburgh-based educational publisher Thomas Nelson, which provides fascinating information on the international business operations of this company that launched the new technology. The archives include some 80 linear meters of archival documents in 900 boxes or volumes, date ranges from the late 19  ^th  century to 1960; there are also approximately 10,000 books that have been kept as copies of office files with notes on binding design and new editions. The collection is not cataloged and has not yet been searched.

Archives Arthur Koestler

Journalist and political activist Arthur Koestler (1905-1983) created a large archive of correspondence on all subjects from the Holocaust to the death penalty, in which he established links with leading writers and political figures worldwide. He was also interested in the fringes of science such as the paranormal, and his experimental ideas are now of interest to a wide variety of interdisciplinary researchers. A controversial figure from several angles, Koestler’s networks have never been fully studied, although a basic catalog of the collection is available.

Middle Eastern Manuscripts

We have a rich collection of 700 manuscripts from the Middle – East and North Africa in Arabic, Turkish and Persian, dating from the 9  ^th  century AD and a variety of literary traditions, historical and religious. It is the only collection of this type in Scotland and has never been the subject of a systematic scientific study.

Malawi collections

Edinburgh, Scotland and the University have had a unique relationship with Malawi since the 19th century, as educators, researchers, missionaries, businessmen and health workers from Scotland went there to work. Collections related to Malawi include, but are not limited to, the documents of Roberts Laws who established the mission to Livingstonia, the documents of Colin Campbell, lawyer, government minister and anti-apartheid activist, the documents of Kenneth MacKenzie, minister and researcher, documents from the Scotland Malawi Partnership, as well as a small collection from the Malawi Writers Group of the 1960s and 1970s. The Center for the Study of World Christianity also contains documents not only on religion, but which document the communities and the issues that have been raised such as education, health and well-being. The range of documents across these collections covers 20th century politics, education, linguistics, economics, decolonization, development, infrastructure and the evolution of society. Many of these collections have only basic lists, and their importance has only been realized with research on decolonization in the mid-20th century.

What does a library scholarship offer?

The IASH welcomes a learned community animated by visiting scholarship recipients. It is an environment conducive to postdoctoral researchers, while offering networking opportunities with mid-career academics and prominent experienced researchers. The Institute occupies a historic building with a private courtyard and lush views – perfect for uninterrupted thinking, reading and writing. However, there are also many opportunities to socialize and share ideas.

In short, a 2020-2021 library scholarship offers:

• Research visit to the University of Edinburgh for three to six months
• Scholarship of £ 1,300 per month
• Travel allowance up to £ 500
• Office space dedicated to IASH, University e-mail and access to the library
• Library workspace with privileged access to collections, support from conservation and technical staff and access to the facilities of the Digital Scholarship Center
• A university mentor assigned from the Research Collections Center (CRC) or a school of the College of Arts, Letters and Social Sciences
• Weekly scholarship luncheon to build community
• Series of college seminars underway to test new ideas
• Calendar of engaging events at the Institute and at the College

Who can apply?

We warmly welcome applications from employees of universities and other research organizations from around the world. Selection will be subject to the immigration rules governing the United Kingdom. Applicants must be employed for purposes such as investigative research and have an appropriate project or study to undertake using a specific collection.

Applicants must have  obtained  a doctorate at the time of application, and normally within the past  five  years (you must be able to produce a transcript, a testamur or a letter of completion / eligibility to graduate as part of your application). You should not have held a scholarship prior to the Institute for Advanced Studies. Those who have held temporary and / or short-term positions are eligible.

Application procedure

The closing date

The medjouel.com team informs you that the deadline for receipt of applications is April 30, 2020  . Applications received after this date will not be considered. The decisions will be communicated in July. Please make sure to provide a valid email address so that you can be contacted quickly once decisions are made.

The application form

Please complete the online request form  here  .
Any additional supporting documentation related to a request must be sent by  e-  mail to  iash@ed.ac.uk  .

The references

• In addition to the application form, a minimum of two and a maximum of three confidential references are required.
• Applicants must ask their referees to send their reference to the director by e-  mail  to  iash@ed.ac.uk  before April 30, 2020.
• The referees should comment on the nature and quality of the research proposal, as well as the qualifications of the candidate. An arbitrator must certify the defense (defense) and the final exam of the candidate’s doctoral thesis.

Remarks

• Attention will be paid to the academic record and publications of all candidates and their ability to disseminate their opinions to a community of like-minded people. Applicants must provide evidence of any contact they have established with researchers at the University of Edinburgh, must do so before submitting their application, and those who can prove the relevance of their proposed project to the research community from the University of Edinburgh will be viewed favorably. Particular importance will be given to the quality and timeliness of the proposed project, and we encourage innovative and interdisciplinary themes and approaches.
• Applicants must detail the specific collection with which they plan to engage during their stay at IASH. Fellows are expected to participate in CRC activities (such as organizing a workshop or seminars on the chosen topic or organizing an exhibition at the library) and an event proposal must be described in the request.
• Fellows should get involved in CRC and commit to achieving agreed goals such as cataloging, interpreting, digitizing or making available an exhibit, workshop, seminar or online learning resources such as a series of blog posts. This will be part of the assessment of the candidates.
• Only fully completed formal requests will be considered. It is the responsibility of each candidate to ensure that all documents are complete and that the arbitrators submit their reports to IASH before the closing date. Applicants may wish to submit a copy of any article or publication that is considered particularly relevant to the research proposal and the scholarship submission. However, it should be noted that no such submitted publication will be returned to the candidate.
• The Institute was established in 1969 by the Faculty of Arts at the time to promote the pursuit of the highest standards in the humanities, widely conceived. It began receiving scholarships in 1970 and is now located as an independent institute within the College of Arts, Letters and Social Sciences. Interdepartmental and interdisciplinary studies have always been encouraged.
• Fellows must make the Institute their main place of work for the duration of the fellowship. Scholarship holders are expected to be in residence for the duration of their fellowship and to contribute fully to the life of the Institute during this period. Fellows make at least one presentation during their tenure and submit a report on their research at the end of their fellowship. No regular education is required.
• For more information on the scope of work undertaken at the University of Edinburgh, see  Edinburgh Research Explorer  , or browse the staff pages of the  College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences  .
• Applicants looking for suitable accommodation in Edinburgh may find these  links  useful.

In order to take full advantage of the seminars and conferences that take place during the semesters and to meet the staff of the College of Arts, Letters and Social Sciences, candidates are encouraged to apply for periods which will include at least part of the ‘one of  the semesters  .