Professional Practice Fellowship Scheme for Academic and Research Libraries
New funding available to develop professional practice as an academic or research librarian.
Research Libraries UK (RLUK) and the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) are accepting applications for the Professional Practice Fellowship Scheme for academic and research libraries.
The fellowships are designed to enable library colleagues to set research agendas, be active participants and leaders of multidisciplinary research, and to provide intellectual leadership in their own disciplines and beyond.
They will provide a career development opportunity by enabling colleagues to have a transformative impact on their professional practice, discipline, and institution, and also act as advocates for the value and benefits of arts and humanities research to communities beyond academia. The Scheme offers opportunities for library staff to work in partnership with RLUK and the AHRC in strengthening research capacity and capabilities in libraries across the arts and humanities, and within and beyond the RLUK membership.
The Professional Practice Fellowship Scheme will provide time and support for library staff:
- To develop their capability, capacity, and confidence as research partners and leaders
- To enable colleagues to place their work within wider professional or disciplinary frameworks which will have a transformative effect on their ability to act as research partners or leaders
- To equip colleagues with the research skills, knowledge, and confidence, to transform their professional practice through research
- To result in a tangible outcome that enables the fellowship to bring discernible and lasting benefit to both the individual, and their institution, beyond the fellowship’s duration.
Eligible applicants must:
- Be employed by an academic or research library that belongs to a recognised UK Higher Education Institution (HEI), Independent Research Organisation (IRO), or is a member of Research Libraries UK (RLUK)
- Have at least two years of experience working within a collection-holding, cultural, or information institution or two-years postdoctoral experience.
The research and work undertaken through these fellowships must fall under the funding remit of the AHRC.
Five fellowships of up to £20,000 (80% FEC) are available.
Applications need to be made by completing a smart survey form administered by the AHRC. Applications will close on 3 December 2021 (12:00 midday).
(This report was the subject of a RESEARCHconnect Newsflash.)