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PhD placement opportunity at the British Library: First World War French Posters

PhD students are invited to apply for a placement which focuses on the British Library’s collection of French First World War posters. Working with the European and Americas collections curatorial team, this three-month placement offers an exciting opportunity to research, catalogue and promote the collection to the widest possible audience in the context of the anniversary of the First World War.

The collection, which spans the period 1914-1918, consists mostly of propaganda posters and includes advertisements for war loans, calls for donations to charitable causes, and official proclamations. One third of the posters are illustrated and the rest are text based.

The project will enhance the discoverability and public awareness of this collection (there are some 350 posters, but only one generic catalogue record which hides the wealth and appeal of the collection). The posters constitute invaluable primary material for research. They promote national identity, aim to sustain the morale of the home front, and demonstrate solidarity between the French army and the Allies.

During their placement at the British Library, the PhD student will produce descriptive records for the posters, researching and recording their key features (issuing organisation, artist, date, location, and context). These records will be made visible in the Library’s online catalogue.

The student will also promote the posters and their research findings by contributing posts about the collection to the European Studies blog and twitter account. They will have the opportunity to write an article on the collection for publication and to contribute to Library events.

The placement is open to PhD students from all disciplines and academic backgrounds; however, good knowledge of written French is essential, and knowledge of early 20th century European history and/or visual arts would be an advantage.

The closing date for applications is 4pm on 19 February 2018.

* For more information, view 'External Link' below or visit the following link >>> http://blogs.bl.uk/european/2018/01/phd-placement-opportunity-at-the-british-library-first-world-war-french-posters.html


** To learn about other PhD opportunities @ the British Library, view the following link >> https://www.bl.uk/news/2018/january/phd-research-placements-2018



Relevant research areas: Western Europe, 20th Century, Book arts, Lithography
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