Pasold Research Fund: Appointment of New Director, 2023

The Pasold Research Fund wishes to appoint a new Director to take over from Professor Stana Nenadic, who after seven years in the position has decided to stand down in Spring 2023.

The Directorship offers a unique opportunity to help shape and support the future of textile history research, and provides valuable leadership experience at board level in a prestigious registered research charity. The position is particularly suitable for a mid to later career, or recently retired, scholar in the academic or museum sector keen to extend his or her range of contacts, networks and influence in textile research, and to gain experience in research support and administration in the charitable sector.

The Pasold Research Fund was established by Eric Pasold in 1964 to promote research into textile history – the economic, social and cultural history of textiles, their technological development, design and conservation, as well as the histories of dress and other uses of textiles, from prehistory to the present. It does this by giving financial assistance to researchers, by organising and sponsoring conferences, and by supporting publications, notably Textile History, the leading scholarly journal in the field which is published for the Fund by Taylor and Francis. The Fund distributes some £25,000 annually in grants for research, publications and events. The Fund is a registered charity and a company limited by guarantee. Further details of the history of the Fund, its current activities and the administrative structure and personnel can be found at its website.

Over the past half century, the Fund has been pivotal for British research into the history of textiles and dress. In this role, it has been well served by a succession of energetic and innovative Directors. They have overseen the administration of its funding and publication activities, advancing them in ways that reflect the changing nature and demands of historical work on textiles, whether in universities, museums, or beyond. The new Director will continue this role, fostering a range of approaches to research in the field, as well as developing the Fund’s responses to novel modes of research and dissemination, especially on-line.

The week-to-week responsibilities of the Director include running the Pasold grant schemes, liaising with the editors and publishers of Textile History, overseeing the organisation of Pasold-sponsored conferences (virtual, hybrid, or in-person), co-ordinating the running of the Pasold’s on-line presence, managing the publication of any future Pasold books, and arranging the twice-yearly meetings of the Pasold Governors. The Director also organises the Annual General Meeting, which brings together the Governors and the Fund’s 20 advisory Members.

The new Director will be expected to have experience in some aspect of research in textile, dress or fashion history and an understanding of the needs, range and potential of research in this field. Some experience of leadership and evidence of administrative efficiency are also vital. Access to part-time administrative assistance is desirable. An honorarium to subsidise activities and/or to cover administrative support is paid quarterly, either directly or via the Director’s institution. Further details of the honorarium and the person specification can be obtained by emailing the Chair of the Governors, Donald Anderson.

Pasold Directors are currently appointed for three years in the first instance, renewable for a further three years with the assent of both parties. Applicants must be able to demonstrate their ability and willingness to set aside an appropriate amount of time for the responsibilities of the Directorship for a minimum of three years.

Application should be made by letter and a CV to the Chair at the above address, to arrive by Friday 27 January 2023.