Applications are invited for Belcher Visiting Fellowships in Victorian Studies for periods of one, two, or three academic terms during 2022-23 or 2023-24, closing 9am, 6 June.
… each will be offered for a period of no longer than twelve months…
The Victorian Society writes:
…These non-stipendiary Fellowships were established through a legacy left to the College by the renowned Pugin scholar, Dr Margaret Belcher, who read English at St Hugh’s in the late 1950s.
The Belcher Visiting Fellowships in Victorian Studies are fixed-term positions and each will be offered for a period of no longer than twelve months. They are usually held academics on paid research leave from another institution, but other arrangements are possible….
Eligibility
The Visiting Fellowship is open to academics from any discipline who have obtained their doctorate, and are working in the broad field of Victorian Studies. It is anticipated that the Visiting Fellow’s area of interest will be related to the Victorian era or its legacy in Britain and/or the wider world – rather than in facets of the nineteenth century without reference to the Victorian era.
The primary purpose of the Visiting Fellowship is research. When applications are assessed, particular attention will be paid to the specific research projects proposed by candidates for the term of the Visiting Fellowship, although applicants’ publications and career to date will also be considered. Previous Fellows, in addition to pursuing research projects, have convened an academic conference at St Hugh’s, and offered public lectures and applicants may wish to propose something similar for 2022-23 or 2023-24.
Terms of appointment
More than one Belcher Visiting Fellowship will be available. The earliest start-date will be 1 October 2022 and applications may be made for one, two, or three academic terms between then and the end of the 2023-24 academic year. For a full year’s appointment, the Belcher Visiting Fellow will receive a subsistence allowance of up to £16,000; research expenses (currently up to £1,723); relocation expenses up to £4,000; travel expenses up to £3,000; as well as an allowance of up to £2,000 to facilitate academic events in College during the Fellowship. The personal allowances are made pro rata for those taking the post for fewer than three terms. An office in College will be available for each Visiting Fellow.
The Belcher Visiting Fellows will be members of the SCR with full dining rights, and expected to keep residence in Oxford during full term. The College has a number of flats on site that are suitable for academic staff, and may be available to rent. The Visiting Fellows will not be members of St Hugh’s Governing Body, but will be encouraged to involve themselves with the academic life of the College, which has a reputation for friendliness as well as academic excellence.
Selection Procedure
Applications for this post will be considered by a selection committee of College members with an interest in the period, with expert external advice sought on an ad hoc basis. At the conclusion of the recruitment process, the selection committee will make a recommendation to Governing Body. No offer of appointment will be valid until and unless the recommendation has been approved by the Governing Body and a formal contractual offer has been made. The appointment will be subject to provision of proof of the right to work in the UK.
The formal selection criteria for the post are as follows:
- The quality and interest of the research proposal.
- A proven record of ability to produce work of international standing within the candidate’s field of research.
- An established publication history commensurate with the applicant’s career stage.
The qualities that we are seeking include:
- The ability to bring advanced research projects to fruition; excellent presentation skills; the ability to contribute to a research community.
- Sympathy with the nature and aims of St Hugh’s College and the University of Oxford and willingness to participate in the life of the College.
Application Procedure
Applications should be sent by email to the Academic Administrator, Miss Adams (college.office@st-hughs.ox.ac.uk), by 9am on Monday 6th June 2022. Applications should be in the form of a single PDF comprising:
- a covering letter, including proposed dates of tenure
- a full curriculum vitae, including principal publications
- a proposal of research to be conducted during the tenure of the Visiting Fellowship (not more than one A4 side)
- the names and contact details of two referees
