Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC)

We’re pleased to announce the first 50 higher education institutions to receive AHRC doctoral landscape awards funding. The awards will support the equivalent of at least 150 discovery-led student projects a year in higher education institutions (HEIs) across the UK. Crucially, landscape funding is designed to be flexible, allowing HEIs to shape their approach according to their strategies and needs. For example, they can allocate their studentships in line with their participation, inclusion and diversity strategies. This will create new opportunities for innovation in research career development and routes to impact. In addition, regional ‘hubs’ will be established to facilitate collaboration and cohort development within and across different areas of the UK. The awards are the first to be made through AHRC’s new approach to funding doctoral study, which focuses on establishing a sustainable and balanced portfolio whilst reducing the administrative burden on applicants. We will announce the first grant holders of AHRC’s new doctoral focal award funding, which is designed respond to specific strategic opportunities, later this year. Head to the news section on the UKRI website to find out more.

"Building on the success of the UK-Ireland collaboration in the Digital Humanities research programme, AHRC are excited to host Research Ireland and UK and Irish stakeholders as part of the first steps towards new and stronger collaborations. “Both countries have growing strengths in the creative industries, shared policy goals related to the creative economy and active arts and humanities research communities. “We look forward to developing new activities which emerge from this workshop and wider scoping activities, imagine investments that will benefit the creative industries and drive synergies across science and responsible growth for our societies, and continue the close arts and humanities research and innovation collaboration between the UK and Ireland." Christopher Smith, AHRC Executive Chair

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We're delighted that the European Holocaust Research Infrastructure (EHRI) has been signed into being as a European Research Infrastructure Consortium with the UK as a founding member. The signing coincided with the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the concentration camp at Auschwitz Birkenau on 26 January 1945. EHRI enables transnational Holocaust research, commemoration and education by connecting sources, institutions and people. This investment will provide important opportunities for UK-based researchers while raising the profile and accessibility of collections, archives and data held in this country. We're proud to have supported UK membership of EHRI and the development of the UK's own Holocaust research consortium through AHRC funding. Read more in our latest blog by EHRI Director Rachel Pistol: https://lnkd.in/eSwR3KCa EHRI European Holocaust Research Infrastructure Rachel Pistol #HolocaustRemembranceDay

Want to use spectroscopy in your heritage research? Explore the possibilities with this free event in May 🔽

New ECR fellowship opportunity through our Locally Unlocking Culture through Inclusive Access (LUCIA) programme: the LUCIA-Local Government Association ECR fellowship   📍 Enrich the development of equitable cross-sector partnerships between LUCIA programme networks, and local, regional and national government, in partnership with the Local Government Association (LGA).   📍 Deliver high quality, impactful and accessible research into the ways equitable cross-sector partnerships can connect effectively to cultural policy design.   The ECR fellow will be hosted by the LGA and will be funded for 12 months.   Let’s work together to unlock culture and foster inclusive access across the UK! Find out more and apply: https://lnkd.in/dMcw5yNk Local Government Association

Delighted to announce that #CoSTARNationalLab StoryFutures the first national R&D facility for creative industries, will be based at Pinewood Studios. The CoSTAR Stage will offer cutting-edge virtual production technology and a series of R&D labs featuring spatial audio, volumetric capture and multisensory devices. We look forward to this exciting venture opening in January 2026. Read more here: https://bit.ly/3CloO1B #CreativeIndustries #ResearchAndDevelopment #CoSTARNetwork Royal Holloway, University of London, Pinewood Group Limited, National Film & Television School, Abertay University, University of Surrey / Surrey Institute for People-Centred AI (PAI), BT Business, Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC)

We’ve been working with iNK Stories and Alambic Production on the concept for a Macbeth-inspired game – Lili. This interactive, trailblazing vision centres around Lady Macbeth (Lili), who is played by Zar Amir Ebrahimi, and is set in contemporary Iran. The game is a screen-life thriller which gives you access to her personal devices, setting the witches as hackers and giving players the ability to make choices that influence Lili’s destiny. We hope the game will begin production later in 2025 🎮 Find out more about Lili and the possibilities of combining gaming and theatre at 👉 https://lnkd.in/gMZP-pT7 An RSC, iNK Stories and Alambic Production project 📸 Photo by Ellie Smith

📢 Calling all innovators, academics, and industry leaders! We're excited to announce that the call for Papers and Posters for the World Design Congress London 2025 is now open! 🌍 “The UK's expertise in design is an essential element in creating a regenerative future for our planet." - Christopher Smith, Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) As a valued part of each Congress, we’re inviting submissions aligned with this year’s Design for Planet theme. Share your research, case studies, or collaborative projects and contribute to shaping a regenerative, sustainable future. Sub-Themes: 🔍Shifting Paradigms: From Extractive to Regenerative Design 🔍Economy and Design: Innovating for Circular Economies 🔍Policy and Design: Shaping a Global Response Selected papers will undergo a double-blind review process, with opportunities to present in person at the Congress. Accepted posters will also be proudly displayed at the Barbican Centre. Learn more about submission guidelines and the transformative power of design in addressing planetary challenges here: https://ow.ly/vWqz50UKfuz World Design Organization #DesignForPlanet #WorldDesignCongress #CallForPapers

We've got a new opportunity to collaborate with US partners on research into AI's ethical, legal and societal implications. Co-funded by the National Endowment for the Humanities, AHRC BRAID DOT will support researchers to take a humanities-led approach to big questions around how AI is changing our world, and how it can be managed responsibly. Want to learn more? Register for our webinar on 27 January. Apply by 20 March: https://lnkd.in/eE3sbR9w