125th Anniversary Scholarship in African Studies and Anthropology

About the project

African and African diasporic scholarship is at the cutting edge of feminist debate. From challenging the assumption that Western gender practices are universal to showing the margins of society to be a space of radical openness, African and African diasporic feminisms have explored the intersections of gender and other forms of inequality and difference, including but not limited to seniority, ethnicity, race, sexuality, socio-economic status, and the impact of colonialism and its legacies.

This scholarship is open to applicants seeking to explore contemporary or historical manifestations of, or engagements with, African and/or African diasporic feminisms. Projects might focus on political movements or individuals and their legacies, or might explore values and practices of gender relations or gender advocacy in social and cultural life. Attentive to historical and cultural context, projects will centre Africa as a concrete source of feminist intellectual resources: ethnographic and/or historical research could take place on the African continent, among diasporic communities, or bridge the two, focusing on ongoing and direct connections to the African continent. Potential themes include gender complementarity; the relationship between marriage, motherhood and social influence; conformity/non-conformity to gendered and sexual norms and expectations, including those of heterosexuality, marriage and motherhood; generational and/or transnational tensions in relation to values, norms and practices of gender, sexuality or feminism; gender or sexuality-related advocacy campaigns.

Candidates are encouraged to design their own project and to outline how it will engage with African and/or African diasporic feminist scholarship and activism. We particularly welcome projects employing collaborative, ethnographic or historical methods, and projects with a clearly identified geographic, historical, and socio-cultural focus within Africa and/or the diaspora. Projects may lead to methodological innovation through engagement with feminist research ethics, with clear potential to learn from those among whom research is conducted. Collaborative and participatory methods might lead to dissemination activities or outputs additional to the PhD thesis, such as exhibitions or non-academic publications, as appropriate to the project. Ultimately, the project should expand understandings of African and/or African diasporic gender relations, feminist theory and/or activism, contributing to scholarly debates with relevance to contemporary gender policy and advocacy work in Africa and/or other regions of the world.

Candidates should outline how their experience to date equips them to undertake this research and whether they have particular training needs (including language training) before they can begin the research.

Entry Requirements

Applicants will be expected to have a good Honours degree (First Class or Upper Second Class Honours degree) awarded by a recognised University in a relevant subject, or an alternative qualification, or experience of equal quality. In certain cases, a Masters degree or equivalent may be expected in a relevant subject.

Who can apply?

These scholarships are designed to create opportunities and address the underrepresentation of talented Black or Black mixed heritage students in academia. Applicants who meet all of the following criteria are eligible to apply:

1. Students classified as 'Home' for tuition fee payments
2. Members of one of the following ethnic groups:
   • Black African
   • Black Caribbean
   • Black Other
   • Mixed – White and Black Caribbean
   • Mixed – White and Black African
   • Other mixed background (to include Black African, Black Caribbean or Black Other)
3. Not already enrolled on a PhD programme at the University of Birmingham

What does the scholarship provide?

1. Financial Support: Recipients of these scholarships will receive substantial financial support, including a stipend at UKRI rates, which is set at £20,780 per year for the 2025/26 academic year, and will be paid to you in regular instalments. Successful awardees will also have their tuition fees covered at a minimum of £5,006 per year. This support is designed to alleviate the financial burden often associated with pursuing a doctoral degree, such as covering tuition fees, living expenses, and research-related costs.
2. Mentorship and Guidance: Scholarship recipients will benefit from mentorship opportunities and guidance from accomplished faculty members who are dedicated to helping them succeed in their academic and research endeavours.
3. Research Opportunities: We are committed to providing an exceptional research environment. Students will have access to state-of-the-art facilities, cutting-edge resources, and a vibrant scholarly community.
4. Community Building: A key component of the scholarship programme is the creation of a supportive community of Black British researchers pursuing PhDs. This network will foster collaboration and peer support among scholars.
5. Research Training Support Grant: In addition to financial support, scholarship recipients will receive a research training support grant at £2,250 across the duration of the PhD. This grant is intended to support conference attendance, fieldwork, and other essential activities that enhance their research and academic growth.
6. Commitment to Inclusivity: We are dedicated to building an inclusive academic environment that values diversity and ensures equitable access to education.

Contact the supervisor

Once applicants have familiarised themselves with the above project details, they are encouraged to contact the lead PhD supervisor to discuss the project and the applicant's suitability for the project. This is recommended before you submit an application to the PhD project.

The lead supervisor for the PhD is Dr Jessica Johnson, an Associate Professor in Social Anthropology and African Studies, whose research specialises in Southern Africa, with a particular focus on the anthropology of gender and law in Malawi. The co-supervisor is Professor Insa Nolte, a Professor of African Studies, whose research focuses on gender as a lens onto the political and religious history of Southwest Nigeria, where practitioners of Yoruba religion, Muslims, and Christians have lived together for generations. Insa is particularly interested in historical patterns of gendered and religious preference and the accommodation of religious difference in marriage and family life.

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Find out more

For more information about the scholarship programme, including announcements of available projects and the application process, please register your interest using the form below.