PhD Study : A Design History of the Textile Printing Industry in Ulster

Summary

The design history of Ulster’s textile industry is in its infancy. It is only fairly recently that an interest in provincial and regional design histories have come to the fore of scholarship. Within the last twenty-five years, there has been an emerging Irish design history scholarship with publications such as Ireland, Design and Visual Culture: negotiating modernity, 1922-1992 (King & Sisson, eds., 2010) and conferences as Mise Éire? Shaping a nation through design (Design and Crafts Council, 2016). These represent a germinal contribution to Irish design history but one that is focused on cultural, visual and material production in the Republic of Ireland and is short on the inclusion of textiles.

Prior to this, scrutiny into textile production on the island of Ireland has been largely viewed through the lens of economic and social history with little mention of design activity. Perhaps unsurprisingly, at the fine end of the trade, weaving has been afforded significantly more scholarly attention; while the printing of textiles has received less inquiry. However, there is useful if patchy information, for example, Ada K. Longfield wrote extensively on the history of Irish linen and cotton printing industry in (mainly) the 18th century. Indeed, Longfield mentions three textile printworks operating in Belfast in her 1937 essay published in the Journal of Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland (JRSAI).

There is slim scholarship on the printing industry throughout the 19th century and by the 20th century’s Interwar Period, only three Ulster printworks appear to have survived. This project seeks to identify and document, through mainly archival research, the design history of the textile printing industry in Ulster and evaluate its contribution in local, national and international contexts. While the project is essentially a design history one, applications with a practice-based element will also be considered.

Essential criteria

Applicants should hold, or expect to obtain, a First or Upper Second Class Honours Degree in a subject relevant to the proposed area of study.

We may also consider applications from those who hold equivalent qualifications, for example, a Lower Second Class Honours Degree plus a Master’s Degree with Distinction.

In exceptional circumstances, the University may consider a portfolio of evidence from applicants who have appropriate professional experience which is equivalent to the learning outcomes of an Honours degree in lieu of academic qualifications.

• Sound understanding of subject area as evidenced by a comprehensive research proposal
• A comprehensive and articulate personal statement
• Research proposal of 2000 words detailing aims, objectives, milestones and methodology of the project

Desirable Criteria

If the University receives a large number of applicants for the project, the following desirable criteria may be applied to shortlist applicants for interview.

• Completion of Masters at a level equivalent to commendation or distinction at Ulster
• Practice-based research experience and/or dissemination
• Experience using research methods or other approaches relevant to the subject domain
• Work experience relevant to the proposed project

Funding and eligibility

The University offers the following levels of support:

Vice Chancellors Research Studentship (VCRS)

The following scholarship options are available to applicants worldwide:

• Full Award: (full-time tuition fees + £19,000 (tbc))
• Part Award: (full-time tuition fees + £9,500)
• Fees Only Award: (full-time tuition fees)

These scholarships will cover full-time PhD tuition fees for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance) and will provide a £900 per annum research training support grant (RTSG) to help support the PhD researcher.

Applicants who already hold a doctoral degree or who have been registered on a programme of research leading to the award of a doctoral degree on a full-time basis for more than one year (or part-time equivalent) are NOT eligible to apply for an award.

Please note: you will automatically be entered into the competition for the Full Award, unless you state otherwise in your application.

Department for the Economy (DFE)

The scholarship will cover tuition fees at the Home rate and a maintenance allowance of £19,000 (tbc) per annum for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance).

This scholarship also comes with £900 per annum for three years as a research training support grant (RTSG) allocation to help support the PhD researcher.

• Candidates with pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, who also satisfy a three year residency requirement in the UK prior to the start of the course for which a Studentship is held MAY receive a Studentship covering fees and maintenance.
• Republic of Ireland (ROI) nationals who satisfy three years’ residency in the UK prior to the start of the course MAY receive a Studentship covering fees and maintenance (ROI nationals don’t need to have pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme to qualify).
• Other non-ROI EU applicants are ‘International’ are not eligible for this source of funding.
• Applicants who already hold a doctoral degree or who have been registered on a programme of research leading to the award of a doctoral degree on a full-time basis for more than one year (or part-time equivalent) are NOT eligible to apply for an award.

Due consideration should be given to financing your studies. Further information on cost of living