Bloomsbury Academic and the Institute of Historical Research are happy to announce an Inclusive Histories partnership, that seeks to improve the publishing opportunities available for early-career history researchers from a diverse range of backgrounds. This new annual initiative will support recent PHD students, from anywhere in the world, in developing their thesis into a Bloomsbury monograph. It offers an online workshop on how to develop a book proposal and the opportunity for shortlisted book proposals – selected by an IHR panel – to receive full peer review.
The most successful proposal will be awarded a project completion grant of £500 (to be spent as the author chooses, on resources or expenses to enable them to complete the book) in addition to a Bloomsbury contract. We hope that this initiative will also help all participants to strengthen their book proposals and move a step closer to publication. The initiative is open to recent PhD students who are not currently in full-time, permanent, academic positions.
In support of the initiative, Rhodri Mogford, Senior Publisher for History at Bloomsbury Academic, will host a workshop on turning a PhD thesis into a scholarly monograph, followed by a ‘demystifying academic publishing’ Q and A. This will be a virtual event and open to all.
Application & Eligibility
Application
Following this session, researchers should submit their proposal form to Jade Chesterton at the IHR at ihr.fellowships@sas.ac.uk. The closing date for submissions will be 23.59 p.m. (UK time) on 30th November 2022.
Shortlisted applicants will be notified in January 2023 with results announced at the end of April 2023.
Eligibility
We are dedicated to welcoming applications from all backgrounds and identities who have faced challenges in the early stages of their scholarly publishing career due to their: minoritized racial/ethnic or global majority background, ability (physical disability or neurodivergence), age, religion or belief, gender identity, sex, sexuality, class and/or socioeconomic background, caring responsibilities, geographical location.
Enquiries should go to Jade Chesterton at ihr.fellowships@sas.ac.uk. Full terms and conditions will be available soon.
Application Form
| The Bloomsbury - IHR Inclusive Histories Initiative_Application Form | DOC | 674.5 KB |
FAQs
How you define ‘recent’ PhD students? /Is there an age limit for an early career researcher?
There is no cut-off date in terms of being a ‘recent’ PhD student (or age restriction). If you are early on in your career and think the initiative could benefit you then apply.
What is the length of the anticipated final manuscript?
Inclusive of notes and bibliographic material, we would expect projects to be no shorter than 70,000 words and no longer than 115,000 words.
I've already published some of my thesis in a journal article- can I still apply?
A few chapters in the monograph having been previously published in some form as journal articles will be absolutely fine. More than that may require discussion with the publisher.
When would I have to deliver the manuscript by?
Delivery of the manuscript would typically be around 1-2 years after a contract is agreed, but upwards of 5 years could be acceptable if discussed in advance.
My work straddles history, am I welcome to apply?
Applications from scholars whose work straddles history and another discipline(s) are welcome, though it may prove difficult to include colour illustrations without an external financial subsidy.
I'm employed by a University, can I still apply?
Those employed on teaching only contracts at a University are welcome to apply
The form asks for 5 suggestions for peer reviewers- do I need to approach them directly before applying?
Please do not approach potential peer reviewers directly. We just want suggestions for project reviewers and 2-3 suggestions will be fine if 5 proves too difficult.
Will this prize run annually?
Yes- the The Bloomsbury - IHR Inclusive Histories Initiative will run annually
Where do I submit my form?
Researchers should submit their proposal form to Jade Chesterton at the IHR at ihr.fellowships@sas.ac.uk.
The closing date for submissions will be 23.59 p.m. (UK time) on 30th November 2022.
Shortlisted applicants will be notified in January 2023 with results announced at the end of April 2023.
