ECR – New Generation Thinkers 2014

AHRCThe AHRC and BBC Radio 3 are looking for applications for the New Generation Thinkers of 2014.

Up to sixty successful applicants will have a chance to develop their programme-making ideas with experienced BBC producers at a series of dedicated workshops and, of these up to ten will become Radio 3’s resident New Generation Thinkers. They will benefit from a unique opportunity to develop their own programmes for BBC Radio 3 and a chance to regularly appear on air.

BBC Radio 3 and its programmes Free Thinking  (previously known as Night Waves), the Verb, the Essay and the Sunday Feature have provided a platform for debate and commentary from scholars across the world. You could now join them on air. The New Generation Thinkers scheme also works with BBC TV Arts who will be looking to develop New Generation Thinkers and their ideas into arts television.

Applicants do not have to be funded by the AHRC to apply; the scheme is open to all early career researchers based in a UK Research Organisation (either Higher Education Institution or Independent Research Organisation [IRO].  We also encourage those people who have previously applied unsuccessfully to the scheme, even if they made it to the workshop.

We welcome applications from researchers working in all areas of the arts and humanities. This year we are extending the call for researchers who work in areas of social sciences and medical science whose work intersects with the arts and humanities. There are a series of interfaces, and many areas of common ground between. This can be seen in both cross-council programmes, Connected Communities and Life Long Health and Wellbeing.

Aims of the scheme

The aim of the scheme is to provide a development opportunity for early career researchers to cultivate the skills to communicate their research findings to those outside the academic community. The scheme wants to find the new generation of academics who can bring the best of the latest university research and scholarly ideas to a broad audience.

Applications should demonstrate an engaging and stimulating programme but also demonstrate an ability to talk about other subjects areas within the arts and humanities in an accessible and refreshing manner, with awareness of the wider listening audience. We would recommend that you listen to previous winners experience in the AHRC podcast and hear this year’s winners programme on the Essay on Iplayer now.

Who’s Eligible?

To apply for the New Generation Thinkers scheme, you must be

1. A UK resident over 18 currently working or studying at a UK Research Organisation (http://www.ahrc.ac.uk/What-We-Do/Fund-world-class-research/Pages/Independent-research-organisations.aspx)You will be either:
a) Currently a PhD student, if you are a doctoral candidate you should have made considerable progress on your research eg.  Be within one year of submission.
OR
b). Within eight years of the award of your PhD.
OR
c). Within six years of your first academic appointment.

2. Anyone who has applied for in previous year’s are free to apply again except the previously selected researchers who became the final 10 New Generation Thinkers in 2011, 2012 and 2013.

3. Employees of the BBC and the AHRC are not eligible to apply.

Closing date: 06/02/2014

Further information: http://www.ahrc.ac.uk/Funding-Opportunities/Pages/New-Generation-Thinkers-2014.aspx