Cambridge Visual Culture (CVC) invites applications for a new programme of residential Visiting Research Fellowships in Visual Culture at the University of Cambridge. The programme aims to renew and catalyse the study of ‘the visual’ at Cambridge by bringing fresh voices and approaches to the University, and to extend visual culture studies into specialisms and fields which are under-represented in Cambridge.
Successful applicants will engage with colleagues and students in the University of Cambridge in an area of visual culture studies. The call is open to scholars at all career stages working in all media (including digital media and film) and geographies, both historical and contemporary, as well as in curatorial studies and the shaping and reception of visual culture. We particularly welcome applications from researchers who will bring new perspectives to the research of visual culture in Cambridge.
During their residencies, awardees will be expected to further their research on visual culture, engage where appropriate with collections in Cambridge, develop links and explore collaborations with researchers in the University, lead a graduate seminar in a chosen academic department, and participate in a public event organised by CVC (a lecture, an “in-conversation” event, or similar).
These residential awards are for two weeks in the first instance and will be funded up to a limit of £2,000 to cover travel and accommodation. They should be taken up in term-time, either in Easter term 2022 (26 April-17 June 2022), Michaelmas term 2022 (4 October-2 December 2022), or Lent term 2023 (17 January-17 March 2023). A case can be made for higher travel costs and additional living expenses if required.
Subject to satisfactory completion of the initial two-week residency, CVC envisages funding a second visit to Cambridge of one week in 2023-24 for successful applicants to this round (with additional funding up to the value of £1,200).
Awardees will have access to University Information Services, and access to Cambridge libraries during their residency and online for a 12-month period and a University of Cambridge email address (if required).
About the CVC:
CVC is relaunching in 2022 as a distinctive and dynamic space for researching the visual / visual research, foregrounding the university’s collections and its array of display and exhibition opportunities. A unique collaboration between the Department of History of Art, the Fitzwilliam Museum, Kettle’s Yard and the School of Arts and Humanities, CVC seeks to work with researchers and networks across Cambridge to explore how the visual is researched, and how research is expressed in visual culture. It aims to unlock synergies and promote fresh modes of engagement with the visual in Cambridge through a range of events from intimate “in conversation” seminars to public-facing lectures and project workshops. Our programme will be extended through a dynamic online presence knitting together activity across the University.
Visit our current website http://cvcsrv.arct.cam.ac.uk/ to find out more about CVC – a new CVC website will launch early in 2022.
The Visiting Research Fellowship programme is a core element of this initiative and seeks to revitalize the study of visual culture in Cambridge through new voices and new critical perspectives. The Fellowships support two-week residential awards in the first instance, renewable for a further week in the following year, with the intention of forging a more sustained engagement between CVC Visiting Research Fellows and Cambridge-based researchers and resources.
How to apply:
Applicants require a University of Cambridge sponsor, who should be a member of faculty or curatorial/museum staff during the period of the fellowship. Visiting scholars will be hosted by the CVC with a link to the relevant collection, centre, department or faculty (depending on the sponsor).
Applications should consist of:
- a proposal, not more than 2 pages of A4 text (with an additional 1 page of A4 with accompanying images if appropriate), including:
- outline of proposed research;
- outline of proposed outputs, including subject of a graduate seminar and proposal for a CVC public event;
- summary of proposed use of budget (e.g. travel costs).
- a Curriculum Vitae
- a letter of support from a University of Cambridge sponsor
- names and contact details of two referees
Applications should be sent by email with relevant attachments to hoart-secretary@aha.cam.ac.uk by 12pm (12 noon) on Thursday 10 March 2022. Applications will be reviewed by the co-chairs of the CVC, and approved by the CVC Steering Committee.
The CVC welcomes approaches from interested individuals to discuss potential applications. We can also help to connect potential applicants with relevant researchers in the University of Cambridge who may be interested to sponsor an application. For such guidance, please contact Dr Donal Cooper: dac66@cam.ac.uk.