Postgraduate Research

Funded PhD Opportunity – Researching the politics of the past in Scotland

The Archaeology Department at the University of Aberdeen is offering a fully funded PhD position in heritage studies and archaeopolitics. The project is situated within the growing interdisciplinary research direction of "the politics of the past".

The Archaeology Department at the University of Aberdeen is offering a fully funded PhD position in heritage studies and archaeopolitics. The project is situated within the growing interdisciplinary research direction of “the politics of the past”.

Drawing on mixed qualitative approaches, Researching the politics of the past in Scotland: heritage, identity, and archaeology in times of political polarization will investigate how heritage sites and archaeological interpretations figure into contemporary questions of identity, representation, and ownership, in Scotland and beyond. Perspectives that take recent political debates into account are of particular interest, including Scottish independence, ideological polarization, social justice, Brexit etc.

The successful candidate will develop the specific topic and research design. Full training in relevant methods and theory will be provided by the supervisory team.

The successful candidate will be based at the Department of Archaeology with lead supervisor Dr Elisabeth Niklasson. A secondary supervisor will be assigned based on the profile and interests of the candidate. Based on the interdisciplinary nature of the research, the candidate is expected to drive and coordinate collaboration across relevant departments at the University of Aberdeen, and to contribute to the creation of a new heritage research network.

The deadline for applications is May 15, 2021. For full details, including how to apply, click here.