CERRL/UKRI Research Fellow at St Mary’s University, Twickenham

Job Summary:

It is the 175th anniversary St Mary’s in 2025. Its transition from its origins as a training college for teachers of the Catholic poor to a state-funded higher education institution over 175 years, and amidst a time of significant social, political, and religious change.
This joint CERRL/UKRI-funded Research Fellow appointment has four key elements in preparation for the university’s anniversary year: (i) a systematic search and analysis of the university’s archival holdings, and the newly acquired Association for Religious in Education (ARE) archive, to map the changing shape of Catholic education (higher and school) over time; (ii) engagement with alumni and the collection and analysis of oral history sample drawn from the university’s former students and staff; (iii) work with existing students in engaging with key sources in the archive and with a view to creating a permanent deposit of present-day students’ reflections upon their life and experience of St Mary’s; and (iv) working towards the selection of appropriate sources for exhibitions across the university’s anniversary year.

Candidate Profile:

Ideally you will hold a PhD, or one near completion, in History, Theology, Education or a cognate area. You will have familiarity with Catholic education and/or understand its place in British culture and society. Although ideally specialising in historical research methodologies, you will demonstrate understanding of research more broadly, including its ethical implications. You will be able to work independently in planning and enacting the archival research, setting up and undertaking interviews with alumni and students. You will use your creativity to develop exhibits, and analyse and interpret research data and draw conclusions on the outcomes towards publication.

St Mary’s University is committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) and welcomes applications from all sections of the community. Learn more about our EDI initiatives and work as a Disability Confident employer. Please view our detailed access guide by following the link: St. Mary’s University | AccessAble

Candidates must be able to demonstrate their eligibility to work in the UK in accordance with the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006.

Closing Date: 19 January at 23:00

Interview Date: 24 January 2024