AHRC grant awarded for 'Mysticism, Myth and 'Celtic' Nationalism' project

Dr Marion Gibson in English and Dr. Garry Tregidga in Cornish Studies have been successful in obtaining a £252,000 grant from the AHRC for the 'Mysticism, Myth and 'Celtic' Nationalism' project.

This will fund a research collaboration between English, History and Cornish Studies at the Tremough Campus in Cornwall. The project explores literary and oral narratives of local identity as they are influenced by ideas of myth and mysticism. The grant will enable the appointment of a post-doctoral fellow to work on the project, and will create a PhD studentship.

PhD Studentship Opportunity:

Fully-funded PhD Scholarship available as part of an AHRC funded project: ‘Mysticism, Myth and ‘Celtic' Nationalism'

Dr Marion Gibson at the University of Exeter, Cornwall Campus, Department of English, and Dr Garry Tregidga at the University of Exeter, Cornwall Campus, Institute of Cornish Studies, have recently been awarded funding from the AHRC for a three-year project, whose research questions are:

• Why are some places, such as Cornwall, felt to be particularly ‘haunted' by a mythologised, mystic past?
• What impact does this perception have on their identity politics, as expressed in literature, historical writing and localised oral tradition?
• How does Cornwall compare to the rest of Britain and other ‘Celtic' areas (Scotland, Wales, Brittany, Ireland) in this respect?

The PhD student will be responsible for conducting research on such archives and texts as the records of the Old Cornwall Societies, Gorseth Kernow archive, the published and unpublished works of important writers on ‘Celticity' (for example, the Nance and Jenner papers at the Courtney Library, Truro), and key writers on Cornish history, folklore and literature from the 18th century to the present, as well as conducting and drawing on oral history interviews. The project PhD student should have an MA in a relevant discipline, such as History or English. Shortlisted candidates will be asked to submit electronically a writing sample of 1000-2000 words.

The expected start date for the PhD will be 1 March 2008, or as soon as possible thereafter, and it will be fully funded at AHRC standard rates for fees and maintenance for a period of three years. Standard AHRC eligibility criteria for studentships apply.  In addition to the completion of the PhD, the successful applicant is expected to play a full role in the project team, including some tasks related to conference organisation in the later years of the PhD.

Prospective applicants may discuss the post further with Marion Gibson, (01326) 371897; email \n marion.h.gibson@ex.ac.uk This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it and Dr Garry Tregidga, telephone 01326 371888; email \n G.H.Tregidga@ex.ac.uk This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it .

Please send your CV and covering letter along with the contact details of two referees, to Ms Shelly Windsor, Department of English, University of Exeter Cornwall Campus, Treliever Road, Penryn, Cornwall, TR10 9EZ. The closing date for completed applications is Friday 15th February. Interviews will take place on Monday 25th February.

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