Research Training Spring/Summer Term January – June A guide to research training workshops and online training available to postgraduate students and ECRs in the humanities
sas.ac.uk/research-training
Contents About the School of Advanced Study
3
Introduction 4 School of Advanced Study research environment
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Research skills workshops
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Writing skills workshops
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Summer schools and short courses
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Institute-specific training and fora
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PORT online research training
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Bloomsbury Postgraduate Skills Network
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PhDs in humanities at the University of London
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About the School of Advanced Study The School of Advanced Study at the University of London (SAS) is the only institution in the UK that is nationally funded to promote and facilitate research in the humanities. It performs a vital role as a driving force for knowledge-sharing across the humanities in the UK and beyond. The School’s mission is to maintain and develop the resources of its nine member institutes, many of which have long and distinguished histories, for the benefit of national and international research communities.
Member Institutes of the School Institute of Advanced Legal Studies Institute of Classical Studies Institute of Commonwealth Studies Institute of English Studies Institute of Historical Research Institute of Latin American Studies Institute of Modern Languages Research Institute of Philosophy The Warburg Institute
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Introduction The School of Advanced Study draws on its extensive research and teaching expertise in the humanities to provide a programme of disciplinespecific and transferable research training, both face-to-face and online. The School’s range of training programmes are designed to meet the needs of 21st-century researchers, offering programmes that enable scholars in the humanities to develop their skills and pursue their studies to maximum effect. We offer well-established training for humanities postgraduate students (most notably in history, law, English, modern languages, and classics) as well as in specialist areas (palaeography, book history, Renaissance culture, medieval manuscript studies), together with a programme of workshops in generic research and transferable skills, plus training in essential research software and management information tools. Most of the School’s training is available to postgraduate research students across the UK as well as our own students, much of it free of charge. Early-career researchers will also benefit: our workshops provide the transferable and employability skills necessary for preparation for careers in academia and elsewhere, and all researchers, at whatever level, are welcome to attend.
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School of Advanced Study research environment Libraries and collections
Dedicated one-to-one support
Senate House Library, together with the institute libraries of the School, form one of the world’s most significant collections in the arts, humanities, and social sciences. More than 100,000 registered readers from more than 200 countries access the services of the eight collaborating libraries each year. Their combined holdings amount to nearly three million volumes and twelve miles of open shelf access, providing a range of material unmatched anywhere in the world in relation to their specialist subject areas.
As well as the training programmes we offer, we provide our own students with tailored support and training. This includes dedicated one-to-one support for non-traditional students, those who require help with writing for academic purposes, or those suffering writer’s block.
See sas.ac.uk/support-research/libraries for more information.
Events and research networks The School of Advanced Study is the UK’s national research hub in the humanities, and as such is a unique scholarly community in which to pursue doctoral research leading to a University of London PhD. It has all the benefits that accrue from being in the heart of Bloomsbury, with access to the rich resources the area offers. Our students benefit from our collaborative research environment and opportunities to participate in an extensive programme of events and research networks. See sas.ac.uk/eventsbrochure for our events programme.
Modern languages provision Our students also have access, via King’s College London, to specialist training in a range of modern languages. Facility in a modern language other than English not only underpins highquality research, but also enriches personal and social development. Researchers in all disciplines need skills in spoken as well as written languages in order to communicate their research more broadly, to take up and make the most of opportunities to study and work overseas, and to collaborate with overseas partners.
Interdisciplinary seminar series The School runs a regular seminar series that is interdisciplinary in scope and inclusive in nature. All of the School’s research students are warmly invited. Such events not only stimulate debate and spark innovative thinking that crosses disciplinary boundaries, but also help encourage fruitful and enjoyable student contact and mitigate the sense of isolation that can accompany PhD study. All SAS students are strongly encouraged to attend the seminar series that are relevant to their interests. A list of the School’s seminar series can be found in the Research Seminars guide at sas.ac.uk/eventsbrochure.
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Research skills workshops This programme of workshops and seminars provides transferable research training for MPhil and PhD students in the humanities and social sciences, complementing the specialised programmes provided by the institutes for their students. It is expected that most SAS students will take part in all sessions of the programme at an appropriate time in their doctoral study. The programme is freely available – to SAS students, of course, and also to all registered research students in the humanities and social sciences based in the UK. Those based in the Bloomsbury colleges (e.g., Birkbeck, SOAS, UCL) may register through the Bloomsbury Postgraduate Skills Network (see p17). Students at non-BPSN institutions should register by contacting Kremena Velinova at kremena.velinova@sas.ac.uk. SAS students should let Kremena Velinova know in advance that they expect to attend. This is to make sure that they can be kept informed if there are last-minute changes to the programme or venue.
Working with Images in Your Research Tuesday 14 January, 14:30–16:00 The Warburg Institute This session focuses on practical ways of accessing and using images in your research and publications, exploring tools for finding images, print and electronic resources, and copyright, licensing, and reproduction. The workshop will include use of the Warburg Institute’s photographic collections, library collections, and digital and electronic resource collections. Session Leaders: Nessa Malone and Rembrandt Duits (Warburg Institute, SAS)
Getting Research Published Thursday 16 January, 14:00–16:00 Room 246, Senate House This session will address the process of publication in a variety of academic/professional outlets including digital publication, preparing articles for submission to academic journals, the process of editing, writing book proposals, and (from the perspective of the publisher) turning a thesis into a non-academic book. Session Leader: Frances Pinter (SAS, University of London)
Turning the PhD into a Book Thursday 23 January, 14:00–16:00 Room 246, Senate House One of the key aims of this training session is to get doctoral researchers thinking about the process of transforming the PhD thesis into a monograph. Focusing in particular on writing a book proposal, participants will work towards producing short summaries of their projects that communicate effectively to the two main audiences for a book proposal: the academic reviewer and the publisher. 6 Research Training Spring/Summer 2020
Session Leader: Joseph Ford (Institute of Modern Languages Research, SAS)
Research skills workshops Applying for Research Funding Thursday 30 January, 14:00–16:00 Room 246, Senate House This session will explore funding options for research projects. Presentations will cover where to find information about funders, how to pitch your research project, how to write a research proposal, and how to prepare a proposal budget. It will also consider the long-term management of a funded project. The workshop will address ways of building contacts with funding councils and prospective funding organisations as well as approaches to developing collaborative research opportunities. Session Leader: Linda Newson (Institute of Latin American Studies, SAS)
Online Research Methods
Introduction to Public Engagement
Thursday 20 February, 14:00–16:00
Thursday 12 March, 14:00–16:00
Room 246, Senate House
Room 246, Senate House
This session will offer an introduction to researching online in the humanities and social sciences, with a focus on qualitative approaches to the study of contemporary digital materials. The session will provide an overview of some of the primary areas and approaches to online research, such as digital culture studies and digital ethnography, as well as introducing tools for collecting or locating online materials such as social media content or rapidly changing websites. We will look at how online materials can be used alongside ‘offline’ research, and also discuss specific issues involved in working with online data, such as ethical concerns. Session Leader: Naomi Wells (Institute of Modern Languages Research, SAS)
Public engagement describes the many ways in which research can be shared with non-academic audiences. This session will provide an overview of some of the pathways through which you can start to take part in public engagement activity, and the benefits that can be derived from doing so. Increasingly a part of the portfolio of skills expected from an academic, engagement activity can be both challenging and fun. This session will offer an introduction to the key skills involved and how they can feed into everything from teaching to funding applications. It will also outline some opportunities to get involved in public engagement activity within the School of Advanced Study. Session Leader: Michael Eades (SAS, University of London)
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Research skills workshops Maintaining Mental Health and Wellbeing Thursday 19 March, 14:00–16:00 Room 243, Senate House This session will offer much needed space to source useful tools to support wellbeing and maintain mental health. After a short presentation and discussion, a workshop using sound, the body, and breath as well as visual art materials, will provide a practical and creative forum. All are welcome and no previous experience of creative play is required. Participants will have the opportunity to explore activities and strategies that are supportive, positive, and nourishing for fundamental self-care. A safe space will be offered and although the session will be experiential, it is not a therapy group. Session Leader: Phoene Cave
Crafting an Elevator Pitch Thursday 2 April, 14:00–16:00 Room 246, Senate House What is an ‘elevator pitch’, and how could it help your academic career? This session will look at how to craft an ‘elevator pitch’ – a concise, arresting summary of your research or other work – and the contexts where you might use it, from informal networking to publication proposals, funding applications, and media engagement. We’ll think about how to identify and articulate the distinctive features of what you do, how to adapt your pitch for varied audiences, and how to make that ‘elevator pitch’ in both oral and written contexts. Session Leader: Catherine Clarke (Institute of Historical Research, SAS)
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Research skills workshops Giving a Seminar or Conference Paper Thursday 23 April, 14:00–16:00 Room 246, Senate House This session will cover the preparation and delivery of a paper for a seminar or specialist conference audience. The session will include hints on how to give effective presentations at seminars and large and small conferences, the use of visual aids, and discussion of different presentation styles. Session Leader: Julian Burger (Institute of Commonwealth Studies, SAS)
Applying for Academic Jobs Thursday 30 April, 14:00–16:00 Room 246, Senate House One key part of a job application is the job or cover letter. In this training session, participants will learn about the different forms a covering letter might take, depending on the role you are applying for. As part of the session, participants will work towards producing key sections of the job letter, including a digestible and effective statement about your research, thesis, or future book project. Session Leader: Joseph Ford (Institute of Modern Languages Research, SAS)
Public Speaking Thursday 7 May, 14:00–16:00 Room 246, Senate House The importance of presenting your research clearly, coherently, and cogently in public— whether quickly to a small group, or in depth to a large conference—cannot be overstated, and the way you present is a key component. Dr Paxton will help you consider how to improve all aspects of the public delivery of your research message, to ensure maximum impact. (Special requirement for attendees: please wear or bring clothing and footwear that does not restrict easy movement.) Session Leader: Naomi Paxton (Royal Central School of Speech and Drama)
The PhD Viva Thursday 28 May, 14:00–16:00 Room 246, Senate House The session is intended to help students prepare for the viva examination. It will look at a range of practical matters including choosing the external examiners and the roles and strategies of the student, the supervisors, and the examiners. It will review the regulations and guidelines for examiners and candidates, and discuss common practice. It will also discuss practical questions surrounding the examination. Session Leaders: Catherine Davies and Philip Murphy (SAS, University of London)
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Research skills workshops Organising Successful Academic Events Thursday 4 June, 14:00–16:00 Room 243, Senate House Organising an academic event can offer students career-changing opportunities and be rewarding and enjoyable. This session runs through the key areas of organising a successful academic event. We will discuss the different event types, public engagement, impact, timing, venues, audiences, speakers, finance, collaborations, technical issues, hospitality, programming, the night before, the day itself, post-event issues, and potential pitfalls. Session Leader: Kremena Velinova (SAS, University of London)
Teaching Skills for the PhD Student Thursday 11 June, 14:00–16:00 Room 246, Senate House This session will explore the issues for the doctoral student engaged in teaching seminars or classes in their own department or external institution. It will examine the skills that are necessary, and identify strategies for the researcher as teacher: how to manage research alongside teaching, planning a class, managing assessment, identifying and dealing with student needs, organising material and keeping records, team-teaching, and moving to the first academic position. Session Leader: Richard Freeman (University College London)
Research Software Training EndNote I Thursday 6 February, 14:00–16:00 IHR Training Suite, Senate House (North Block)
EndNote II Thursday 13 February, 14:00–16:00 IHR Training Suite, Senate House (North Block) This two-part workshop is ‘hands-on’; aimed principally at complete beginners, it covers the basics and some more advanced features. The first session introduces the software package and gives practice in sorting, searching, entering, and editing references. More advanced features covered include the use of accents, predefined styles, customising the program, downloading references from internet sources, importing images, and linking with other files. In the second part, students create and manipulate their own bibliographical database and learn how EndNote integrates with MS Word. Familiarity with basic word-processing will be assumed. The session is suitable for beginners and those already familiar with EndNote. Session Leader: Simon Trafford (Institute of Historical Research, SAS)
Zotero Thursday 27 February, 14:00–16:00 IHR Training Suite, Senate House (North Block) Zotero is a widely used free and open-source tool for compiling and managing bibliographies. This training session provides a basic introduction to the software and explains how to input references, create reading lists, and add citations to written work. It will be offered once in the autumn and once in the spring term. Session Leader: Simon Trafford (Institute of Historical Research, SAS)
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Research skills workshops Other sessions to be confirmed during the year Working on Photography
Preventing Academic Misconduct
Film Theory and its Application
Designing a Presentation
Understanding, Selecting, and Integrating a Theoretical Framework in Dissertation Research
Concepts of Digital Humanities
How to Set Up and Organise Your First Exhibition Introduction to Teaching: Approaches to Assessment and Effective Feedback
Creating Research Posters Quantitative and Qualitative Research Methods Research Methodology
Writing skills workshops These sessions are open to all SAS MA, MRes, MPhil, and PhD students. Session Leader: Elizabeth Dearnley (SAS, University of London).
Writing Essays
Writing Dissertations
Tuesday 21 January 16:00–18:00
Tuesday 17 March 16:00–18:00
Room 243, Senate House
Room 243, Senate House
A workshop on writing essays, in particular essays of up to 5,000 words in length. The session will review strategies for effective planning, research, and writing.
A workshop on approaching longer writing projects. This session offers useful methods for planning, drafting, revising, and proofreading a dissertation.
Improving Your Writing Tuesday 18 February 16:00–18:00 Room 243, Senate House A workshop on assessing strengths and weaknesses in your own writing, and developing the necessary skills to improve your style and accuracy. It is recommended that students bring a recent writing sample. This session offers strategies for both EFL and native English speakers.
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Summer schools and short courses Our institutes offer a range of summer schools and short courses taught by distinguished scholars. Fees apply for most of these. For details, please visit sas.ac.uk/summer.
Professional Legislative Drafting Course 22 June – 17 July The aim of this course is to encourage modern drafting techniques with an emphasis on effective and user-friendly legislation, and to expose drafters to a variety of drafting styles, thus allowing them to select elements that best suit their national laws and their own tradition, culture, and jurisprudence. Suitable for both experienced and inexperienced drafters.
3D Imaging and Modelling for Classics and Cultural Heritage 6–10 July This course will introduce participants to a range of 3D technologies, from photogrammetry to computer-aided design, for the imaging and modelling of ancient artefacts and buildings. There will be a mix of practical and theoretical sessions, including hands-on practice in imaging outdoor monuments and objects in local institutions. Drawing on the expertise of the Institute of Classical Studies and the many nearby museums, this course is suitable for students, archaeologists, teachers, and anyone with an interest. No previous technical experience is required. 12 Research Training Spring/Summer 2020
The Modern Commonwealth Short Course Study online any time The modern Commonwealth was formed in 1949 with the London Declaration, which changed the basis of membership from common allegiance to the British Crown to a free and equal association of independent states. Yet this organisation often remains misunderstood or underappreciated. This short course, which can be undertaken entirely online, provides an insight into the history that has shaped the modern Commonwealth of Nations as well as the key events, figures, and formal agreements that have made it the organisation it is today.
Nineteenth Century Study Week 13–17 July
The London Palaeography Summer School 8–12 June The London International Palaeography Summer School is a series of intensive courses in palaeography and manuscript studies. Courses range from a half to two days duration and are given by experts in their respective fields from a wide range of institutions. Subject areas include Latin, Middle English, Early Modern English, German and Greek palaeography, calligraphy, illuminated manuscripts, codicology, manuscript editing, and liturgical and devotional manuscripts.
London Rare Books School Week 1 (15–19 June) | Week 2 (22–26 June) | Week 3 (29 June – 3 July) The London Rare Books School (LRBS) is a series of five-day, intensive courses on a variety of bookrelated subjects taught in and around Senate House, University of London. It offers a range of fascinating specialist courses, including Medieval Women and the Book, English Bookbinding, and the Modern Rare Book Trade, covering over two thousand years of book history and investigating the world’s diverse cultures and traditions in book production.
T. S. Eliot International Summer School
Drawing on the rich heritage of ‘Victorian Bloomsbury’, the Institute of English Studies offers an annual study week dedicated to celebrating and understanding the great nineteenth-century writers. In 2020, the Study Week will focus on the novels and journalism of Charles Dickens.
History Now: The Institute of Historical Research Summer School 13–17 July How does history shed light on the urgent questions we face today? How do we use and misuse the past in the present? How will history change in the coming decade? ‘History Now’ addresses themes that fascinate and motivate historians today. These include public history, history and the environment, history and activism, digital history, and the future of history, with lectures and masterclasses by leading historians. ‘History Now’ provides a guide to those starting out on their research and an opportunity for established teachers and researchers to refresh their knowledge. This summer school combines lectures, workshops, hands-on training, and writing sessions. It brings together people who know that history matters, now more than ever.
4–12 July The T.S. Eliot International Summer School welcomes to Bloomsbury all with an interest in the life and work of this Bloomsbury-based poet, dramatist, and man of letters. The Summer School brings together some of the most distinguished scholars of T.S. Eliot and modern literature.
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Aby Warburg, the Picture Atlas and the Making of Visual Culture Week 1 (13–24 July) | Week 2 (20–24 July) The second annual Warburg Institute Summer School provides a unique opportunity to experience behind the scenes and hands-onaccess to the Warburg Institute’s legendary resources. The two independent but complementary weeks will focus on the work of Aby Warburg and his picture atlas Mnemosyne, and questions around the Institute’s unique approach to the organisation of knowledge. Taught by Warburg Institute staff and the Bilderfahrzeuge Research Group, the course will combine lectures, discussions of readings, handson-work with primary materials in the Warburg Institute, and visits to relevant collections around London (including the National Gallery, Wellcome Collection, and the V&A). Each week may be booked as a separate five-day course, or together as an integrated two-week programme. Booking will open March 2020.
Normativity and Reality of Human Rights Dates to be confirmed This third edition of the human rights summer school addresses the interplay between norms and facts about human rights, with a focus on the impact of new technologies on human rights. Jointly organised by the Human Rights Consortium and the University of Padova, its aim is to reflect on the challenges for human rights normative systems stemming from the variety of situations in which human rights are operationalised. The normative/factual fault lines, the chasm between law and reality, are investigated not only in terms of compliance gaps, but also as opportunities for expanding and attuning the legal, ethical, and philosophical articulations of current human rights narratives.
Refugees in the Twenty-First Century Short Course Study online any time This Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) is freely accessible to all. Taking a global perspective, the course provides insight into the refugee phenomenon as one of the most complex, compelling, and (arguably) misunderstood features of the twenty-first century. The course is for everyone; no prior knowledge or experience in the refugee field is required. Students are taken through the fundamentals of who ‘refugees’ are, where they come from, and where they go, as well as the features of the global system for refugee protection and ‘solutions’ for those who have been forcibly displaced. 14 Research Training Spring/Summer 2020
Institute-speciďŹ c training and fora The individual institutes of the School of Advanced Study offer discipline-specific research training, ranging from afternoon sessions and training days to summer schools. Some of the training on offer includes the London International Palaeography Summer School (Institute of English Studies); National Training Days for PhDs in Law (Institute of Advanced Legal Studies); Before, During and After the PhD (Institute of Modern Languages Research); and Resources and Techniques for the Study of Renaissance and Early Modern Culture (The Warburg Institute). Several institutes also run postgraduate discussion fora, which aim to meet the social, research training, and intellectual needs of postgraduate students in specific disciplines. The History Lab (Institute of Historical Research) and the Graduate Forum and the National Postgraduate Colloquium in German Studies (both Institute of Modern Languages Research) are examples of these. Details of institute-based training and fora can be found on the School of Advanced Study research training page on our website: sas.ac.uk/researchtraining.
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PORT: postgraduate online research training PORT is the School of Advanced Study’s free, online research training platform. It provides resources including tutorials, handbooks, and multimedia that enable researchers in the humanities to acquire and hone research skills. PORT complements postgraduate study, providing training packages that can be accessed anywhere, at any time, and undertaken at your own pace. It supplies the building blocks for humanities research generally, as well as for particular humanities disciplines and specific topics.
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Resources are free to access and use and are being added to continuously. They include: Modern languages resources Legal studies tutorials Introductions to various digital tools Research project management guidance PORT also offers a new course introducing the history, membership, structure and purpose of the Commonwealth (fee applicable). Please visit port.sas.ac.uk for more information.
Bloomsbury Postgraduate Skills Network
The Bloomsbury Postgraduate Skills Network shared-skills training programme allows research students in participating institutions to improve general research skills and personal transferable skills through attending training courses and workshops at other member institutions. For information on courses available and how to register, visit the Network website: courses.grad.ucl.ac.uk/bloomsbury
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PhDs in humanities at the University of London The School of Advanced Study at the University of London brings together nine internationally renowned research institutes to form the UK’s national centre for the support and promotion of research in the humanities. The School offers full- and part-time master’s and research degrees in its specialist areas. MPhil and PhD programmes are offered in a broad range of humanities subjects, including: Art history | Classics Commonwealth studies | Digital humanities English literature | American literature History of the book | History | Human rights Latin American and Caribbean studies | Law Modern languages For further details and to apply, visit sas.ac.uk/phd.
PhDs on our London campus
the viva but will otherwise study at their own location. This option is available to UK, EU, and international students on the same basis as our on-campus PhD programmes (three years full time, six years part time). Attendance is required for the first week of the first term (October) to meet supervisors and to undertake an intensive research training course. Further attendance is required at the point of upgrade to PhD (usually between years 1 and 2) and for the final viva. Students are required to engage with further research training online as their programme commences. Regular contact with the supervisor is required via video conferencing. Students will need to demonstrate that they have the appropriate local resources, IT equipment, and infrastructure before they can commence study.
Located at the heart of the University of London in Bloomsbury, the School provides an unrivalled scholarly community in which to pursue postgraduate study and research. Students learn from leading specialists in their fields, hone their research skills in highly regarded training programmes, expand their knowledge through an extensive calendar of events, and become part of a worldwide network of humanities scholars. Funding opportunities include AHRC-sponsored London Arts and Humanities Partnership studentships, SAS studentships, and a number of subject-specific bursaries and awards.
Students will benefit from the School’s extensive research training portfolio, online resources, podcasting, video recordings, and transcriptions and live streaming of research seminars on a wide range of topics to help them complete their research degree.
PhDs by distance learning
To ensure that students are fully supported and provided with the best tools and guidance throughout their PhD programme, applications are considered on an individual basis.
The School offers students with an appropriate topic and level of local resource the opportunity to undertake a PhD by distance learning. These students are required to attend our London campus at set intervals to complete an intensive research training module, for upgrade, and for 18 Research Training Spring/Summer 2020
Distance learning students will be supported in the same way as on-campus students with the use of video conferencing that supplements face-to-face interaction. During induction, distance learning students will meet their student representatives and other students beginning their PhD.
For details on the School of Advanced Study’s PhD by distance learning programmes, visit sas.ac.uk/distance.
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School of Advanced Study University of London Senate House Malet Street London WC1E 7HU E: kremena.velinova@sas.ac.uk T: +44 (0)20 7664 4884 The School of Advanced Study at the University of London is the UK’s national centre for the support and promotion of research in the humanities. Located in the heart of Bloomsbury, the School provides an unrivalled scholarly community in which to pursue postgraduate study and research. Students learn from leading specialists in their fields, hone their research skills in highly regarded training programmes, expand their knowledge through an extensive calendar of events, and become part of a worldwide network of humanities scholars. Funding opportunities include AHRC-sponsored London Arts and Humanities Partnership studentships, SAS studentships, and a number of subject-specific bursaries and awards. Further details of all training offered by the School of Advanced Study and by Senate House Library can be found on our website: sas.ac.uk/research-training
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