PhD Studentship - Waterborne: The Heritage, Culture and Environment of UK Reservoirs

Project contact: Dr. David Cooper

Expected start: October 2024

Project summary

This PhD studentship is part of an AHRC NWCDTP funded team project, ‘Waterborne: The Heritage, Culture and Environment of UK Reservoirs’, a collaboration between the Universities of Liverpool, Lancaster and Manchester Metropolitan. Using traditional means alongside creative-critical methods, the team project will research the design, literary history, and heritage of reservoir building in the UK. Three distinct but interlinked projects will create a rich understanding of the interrelations between design, policy, community memory, and the tangible and intangible heritage of water infrastructure. This new understanding will assist in the creation of more sustainable futures and situate the viewpoints of a variety of communities and groups at the centre of a national conversation.

Based in the Centre for Place Writing, the practice-based project at Manchester Met will examine the role that reservoirs play in the geographical imagination. The postgraduate researcher will engage with literary geographical thinking to explore existing representations of reservoirs. Focusing on the Derwent Valley Reservoirs in the Peak District National Park, they will then work with a diverse range of communities to co-create a new body of place-based writing and will critically reflect on both the research process and the co-created literary text(s).

Project aims and objectives

The thesis will consist of three intersecting components. First, the PGR will engage with contemporary literary geographical thinking to critically examine extant representations of reservoirs in texts by a wide range of writers. Second, the PGR will work with key stakeholders in the Derwent Valley and will develop methodologies (including creative writing workshops, audio interviews, short films and so on) for capturing their reflections in literary form(s). Third, the PGR will critically reflect on both the research process and the final literary product(s): a self-reflexive component which will be of significant interest to other researchers interested in place-based literary collaborations. Throughout the project, the PGR will work closely with the other researchers at Lancaster and Liverpool in an ongoing, iterative process which will place particular emphasis on the ‘impactfulness’ of the team project.

Specific requirements of the candidate

You will have a first degree (2:1 or above) and a Masters degree in Creative Writing (or equivalent experience).

• a deep and informed knowledge of writing about place
• experience of working collaboratively
• an interest in interdisciplinary research practices
• an interest in participatory research and co-creation methodologies
• an ability to work with a diverse range of stakeholders and communities

Applicants should provide a personal statement which addresses their suitability and experience and how they feel like they could use this to benefit the project.

How to apply 

Interested applicants should contact Dr David Cooper  for an informal discussion. 

To apply you will need to complete the online application form for a full-time PhD  in English and Creative Writing (or download the PGR application form ).

You should also complete the PGR thesis proposal  (supplementary information) form addressing the project’s aims and objectives, demonstrating how the skills you have maps to the area of research and why you see this area as being of importance and interest.  

If applying online, you will need to upload your statement in the supporting documents section, or email the application form and statement to [email protected] . Closing date 19th February 2024. Expected start date October 2024.

Please quote the reference: ArtsHums-DC-2024-Waterborne