[Commlist] AHRC-funded PhD Studentship: Television Drama in Transition: Screen Two, the Single Play and the Television Film

*AHRC PhD Studentship*

The Centre for the History of Television Culture and Production, Royal 
Holloway, University of London is pleased to announce a TECHNE 
Collaborative Doctoral Award funded by the Arts and Humanities Research 
Council. This fully-funded studentship will focus on British television 
drama and the ‘television film’ in the 1980s and 1990s and will involve 
a collaboration with BBC History.

*The Project*

*Television Drama in Transition: Screen Two, the Single Play and the 
Television Film*

Screen Two celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2025. Running from 1985 
until 1998 it consisted of around 150 single dramas and films involving 
the leading writers, directors and producers of the time. However, in 
comparison to its predecessors – The Wednesday Play and Play for Today – 
its contribution to television, and UK culture more generally, has been 
little analysed and discussed.  And, although the series initiated a 
decisive shift in BBC drama policy towards shooting entirely on film, 
and producing television films for cinema release, its contribution to 
this development has been largely neglected in comparison to the study 
of Channel 4 and ‘Film on Four’.  The purpose of the project will 
therefore be to revisit the history of Screen Two – and the related BBC 
series Screenplay (launched in 1986) and Screen One (launched in 1989) – 
in order to examine the transition from the single play to television 
film during this period and assess its artistic, economic and 
socio-political significance. In doing so, the project will not only 
re-assess the history of UK television drama during this period but also 
re-evaluate individual works and make them better-known through public 
websites (such as BBC Canvas), publications, events and screenings.

*Details of Award***

The Techne CDA Studentship will fund a full-time studentship for 3.5 
years (42 months), with an option to extend this by up to a further 6 
months for placement/career enhancement activity. Students must submit 
their thesis within the funded period. The award covers both tuition 
fees (£4,712 in 2023-24) and full maintenance (£20,622 in 2023-24)

*Supervisory Team*

The studentship offers a distinctive opportunity to undertake a 
collaborative doctorate with a university and leading broadcaster. This 
is reflected in the supervisory team which will consist of Professor 
John Hill and Professor David M. Thompson of Royal Holloway, University 
of London and Robert Seatter of the BBC. John is currently the Director 
of the Centre for the History of Television Culture and Production at 
Royal Holloway and was PI of the AHRC-funded ‘Forgotten Television 
Drama’ project. David was Head of BBC Films and Single Drama from 
1997-2007 and has produced over 100 dramas and films for the BBC. Robert 
is the BBC’s Head of History with experience of  leading a raft of 
collaborative projects such as 100 Voices of the BBC and the AHRC-BBC 
100 project. Michael Wood, Head of Production at the BBC, who has an 
extensive history of commissioning and producing television drama and 
films, will also act as an adviser.

*The successful candidate*

The successful candidate will require:

  * a first degree (2:1 or above) as well as an MA or equivalent
  * knowledge of British television and a familiarity with debates in
    television history
  * an enthusiasm for public history
  * good communication skills
  * good IT and media skills
  * a capacity to work with others

Prior professional experience may also be an advantage.

*Application Process*

Expressions of interest should consist of the following:

  * A current CV  (including the names of two referees)
  * A cover letter outlining your interest in this research project,
    explaining how you would address the topic and how it will build on
    your own knowledge and experience.
  * A sample of academic writing (e.g. a MA dissertation or essay)
  * Candidates invited to an online interview will be asked to supply
    transcripts of first degree and postgraduate qualifications

Expressions of interest (consisting of the above) should be sent to 
(john.hill /at/ rhul.ac.uk) <mailto:(john.hill /at/ rhul.ac.uk)> by no later than: 
*Monday 15th January 2024. *Interviews will be held the week beginning 
22 January 2024. **

Following interview, the chosen candidate will be invited to complete an 
application, in conjunction with the supervisory team, for final 
submission to TECHNE by 21^February 2024.

*Further Information*

For more information on TECHNE see: https://www.techne.ac.uk/ 
<https://www.techne.ac.uk/>

For more information on the project, potential applicants are advised to 
contact Professor John Hill: (john.hill /at/ rhul.ac.uk) 
<mailto:(john.hill /at/ rhul.ac.uk)>.


---------------
The COMMLIST
---------------
This mailing list is a free service offered by Nico Carpentier. Please use it responsibly and wisely.
--
To subscribe or unsubscribe, please visit http://commlist.org/
--
Before sending a posting request, please always read the guidelines at http://commlist.org/
--
To contact the mailing list manager:
Email: (nico.carpentier /at/ commlist.org)
URL: http://nicocarpentier.net
---------------