Birkbeck research students awarded prestigious AHRC international fellowships
Students will spend time at leading US research institutions
Two research students from Birkbeck’s School of Arts have been offered the opportunity to enhance their research with fellowships at two of the world’s most prestigious research institutions.
Jessica Borge, who is researching cultural narratives of oral contraceptive promotion in 1960s Britain, will undertake a six month fellowship at the Smithsonian Institute, starting in February 2015. The Smithsonian is the world’s largest research and museum complex, consisting of 19 museums and galleries, and nine research facilities.
Eva Nieto McAvoy (pictured right), who is researching Spanish Republican exiles in the international association of writers, will spend two months at the Harry Ransom Center from September 1st 2014. The Ransom Center specialises in literature, photography, film, art, and the performing arts.
The fellowships are part of the Arts and Humanities Research Council’s International Placement Scheme (IPS), which supports researchers to build strong international networks in today’s increasingly globalised world. These placements will offer Borge and Nieto McAvoy access to globally renowned collections, resources and expertise.
Jessica Borge said: “Thank you to the AHRC and the National Museum of American History. This is an excellent opportunity to examine some rare archive material, and to make research contacts. I am very much looking forward to the fellowship.”
Eva Nieto McAvoy said: “I am thrilled about going to the Harry Ransom Center at the University of Texas at Austin. It's a world-class research centre. I will be able to access the archive of PEN International and explore the historical links between this global community of writers and the Spanish Republican exiles after the Spanish Civil War. I hope to find new materials on the promotion of freedom of expression during the early Cold War period.”
Professor Hilary Fraser, Executive Dean of Birkbeck’s School of Arts, said: “We are delighted that two of Birkbeck’s outstanding PhD students have been successful in winning these highly competitive AHRC awards and have the opportunity to pursue their research at such prestigious research institutions. We are grateful to the AHRC for recognising the importance of such international exchanges, and for continuing to support Birkbeck’s world class PhD programme.”