Durham University Collections Fellowships, 2025–2026

Durham University is delighted to invite applications from researchers for Visiting Fellowships of one month in duration. The aim of the Durham Collections Fellowships is to enable and foster research across the historic collections of Durham, notably Archives and Special Collections at Palace Green Library, the Oriental Museum, the library and archives of Ushaw College (the former Roman Catholic seminary just outside the city), the Cathedral Library, and the archives of Durham Priory and Cathedral.

The resources available to scholars include not only libraries and archives, but also collections of visual and material culture, and architectural assets. The purpose of the Visiting Fellowships is to support research into these globally significant collections. Full information about the collections can be found here: https://www.dur.ac.uk/library/asc/collection_information/.

The Barker Visiting Fellowships are intended to support research into any of the collections held in Durham, and there are a number of Lendrum Priory Library Fellowships available specifically to support work on the surviving contents of Durham Cathedral’s medieval priory library. This collection is currently the focus of a large-scale digitisation project, Durham Priory Library Recreated (https://www.durhampriory.ac.uk/).

The Lendrum Fellowships are intended to support research into any of the collections, but there is a preference for applicants wishing to use the historic book collections of Durham. This is interpreted broadly to include consultation of individual books, study of specific collections, research into the material forms of books, histories of book circulation and collecting, plus consideration of the readers of books. We welcome applications from both academic and practitioner researchers at all stages in their career.

The Lord Crewe’s Charity Fellowships are open to any applicant wishing to work on the Bamburgh Library Collection. The remit is wide, from those wishing to research it as a collection, to those planning to consult an individual item, and also includes the material culture of the books.

All fellows will be encouraged to work collaboratively with academic subject specialists, librarians, archivists, and curators to realise the collections’ research potential, and to develop innovative research agendas. They will also be encouraged to participate in the life of the University, particularly its broad range of seminar series.

For full information and to apply: https://durhamcollections.org.uk/applying-for-a-fellowship/

Please direct all enquiries to Dr James Kelly (james.kelly3@durham.ac.uk).