Reframing Scottish sporting history
Researchers are aiming to uncover the hidden history of women in Scottish sport in the Victorian era and the early 20th century.
Glasgow Caledonian University is working with the University of Stirling, the National Galleries of Scotland and the National Library of Scotland on a unique project to unearth rare photographs, paintings, illustrations and cartoons.
Women, Sport and the Visual in Scottish Sport History, 1840-1940: Regaining Insights from Scottish Heritage Collections will showcase how women in sport were depicted in a bid to redress the predominantly male-centric approach to Scottish sport history.
The hunt is now on to recruit a full-time PhD researcher who will be given access to the NGS and NLS's vast archives and collections.
Professor Fiona Skillen, of Glasgow Caledonian University, a co-supervisor of the project, said: "The history of women’s sport has been under-researched, partly due to a perceived lack of source material.
“This project represents an opportunity to look across the development of women’s sports and their representation at a critical yet under-researched period.
“The study will regain and discover new insights from the rich heritage collections of NGS and NLS that will underpin a critical investigation of how women were depicted both by others and themselves while participating in various sports."
Rachel Beattie, Curator, Archives & Manuscript Collections, National Library of Scotland, said: “We are delighted to be involved in this collaborative project that will link collections of two national institutions in a way that has never been explored before.
“There has never been a better time to shine a light on the history of sporting women. This research will be fundamental in creating and sharing knowledge about Scotland’s national collections on this under-researched topic.”
Imogen Gibbon, Deputy Director and Chief Curator, Portraiture, National Galleries of Scotland, added: “This project will give a student the chance to study an under-represented part of Scotland’s national collection - the history of women in sport.
“It will offer the opportunity to research and recontextualise objects while finding new ways to engage with audiences. I can’t wait to see what we discover.”
The PhD, which will be jointly supervised by Professor Richard Haynes of the University of Stirling, is being funded through the Applied Research Collaborative Studentship scheme, which encourages universities to develop projects in collaboration with external organisations across creative, heritage, third and business sectors.
Professor Haynes added: “This unique postgraduate research project with two major national cultural institutions and their collections, and supervision across two universities, offers a fabulous opportunity for someone to develop their skills and talents as an early career researcher.”
Applications are being sought from postgraduate students studying history, media, cultural, and gender studies. Candidates with a background in art, cultural history, archive and museum studies and a broad range of allied humanities can also apply.
To find out more, visit: Women, Sport and the Visual in Scottish Sport History, 1840-1940: Regaining Insights from Scottish Heritage Collections (Reference: GSBS24136) at Glasgow Caledonian University on FindAPhD.com