Residential Training Course for Postgraduate Students
University of Warwick, Radcliffe Conference Centre
University of Warwick
30 November – 3 December 2022
The Economic History Society offers 12 part-funded places on an intensive residential course designed to raise the quality and analytical rigour of doctoral dissertations in economic and social history; to improve the communication skills of postgraduates; to widen their approach to their subjects; and to encourage them to form networks with established scholars and fellow students in their areas of expertise.
The course is open to 12 graduate students who are currently engaged in work on a doctoral thesis on any topic in economic and/or social history in the medieval, early modern or modern periods. Preference will be given to students who will be in their 2nd or 3rd year of doctoral study in November 2021 (FTE). Five academics (with recognised expertise in the field) will act as tutors on the course. The academic course leader is Dr David Clayton (York); the other academic participants will be announced in due course. Past courses have been very successful and have received very positive feedback from students.
Each student will:
- present a pre-circulated 3,000-word written paper (excluding notes) setting out some of their research findings to the full group in a 70-minute session. The paper will draw on a section/chapter of the student’s thesis but should not simply be cut and pasted verbatim from it; it should discuss some of the student’s findings. It is equivalent to a ‘job-market’ paper.
- provide a one-page synopsis of the thesis setting out how the 3,000-word paper fits into it; which three journals – history and/or social science – it would seek to target; and how the paper or thesis would aim to engage with non-academic audiences.
- provide a 10 to 12-minute video presentation summarising the findings and method(s) of the pre-circulated paper, and explaining how it relates to the wider thesis.
- read other students’ papers before the course and be prepared to comment on them in the research sessions;
- act as respondent on one paper and provide the author with written comments after the course is completed;
- chair another session.
Apart from the plenary sessions, there will be workshops discussing academic careers and how to get published. There will also be a number of opportunities for informal discussion between participants as all are expected to be resident for the full duration of the course, i.e. from Wednesday evening to Saturday lunchtime. Students will be required to complete an evaluation questionnaire after the course.
Students are expected to apply, in the first instance, to their departments for their travel costs, and a contribution of £330 towards the cost of the course*, which will include all accommodation (in private ensuite rooms) and meals. The Society will support students who can demonstrate hardship and lack of access to departmental funds.
*A place on the course is not contingent on a contribution of £330.
The deadline for applications is: 16 September 2022.
Other important dates:
- 23 September 2022: notification to candidates of the outcome of their application.
- 4 November 2022: submission of synopses, papers and videos (to Dropbox folder).
- 30 November 2022: arrival at venue (Radcliffe House, University of Warwick).
- 23 December 2022: deadline for respondents to send final written comments on papers.
Any queries should please be directed to the Society’s administrator: Maureen Galbraith.
Testimonials from students who have attended the course are available.
Please note that you must be logged in as a member or become a member of the Society in order to apply.
