Pitt Rivers Museum, Oxford University, Oxford, United Kingdom
Deadline: 06 September 2021
Pitt Rivers Museum, Oxford University. Source Wikipedia
Applications are invited for the position of Researcher for the Re-connecting ‘Objects’: Epistemic Plurality and Transformative Practices in and beyond Museums project, based at the Pitt Rivers Museum, Oxford University.
Grade 7: £32,817 – £40,322 p.a.
This is a fixed-term position for 42 months, from 1 October 2021 to 30 March 2025.
In the context of anti-racist, decolonising and cultural reparation movements worldwide, Reconnecting “Objects”’ aims to interrogate the histories of colonial collections, reconnect interrupted chains of knowledge, and examine alternative forms of co-curation in African and European museums. Funded by a 1.5 million Euro Volkswagenstiftung grant, the project brings together researchers, artists, curators, students and stakeholders on both continents. It is led by Bénédicte Savoy (Technische Universität, Berlin), Albert Gouaffo (University of Dschang), Dan Hicks (Oxford), Malick Ndiaye (Cheikh Anta Diop University) and Ciraj Rassool (University of the Western Cape).
The project team will curate a multi-sited anti-colonial exhibition in Oxford and Dakar during the 2024 Dak’art Biennale, involving contemporary African artists and African artworks from European museums. Epistemic plurality is at the core of this project: cross-fertilizing multiple approaches, learning from practices beyond museums, and developing a digital “anti-catalogue”.
The Researcher will dedicate 40% of their time to the exhibition and other collaborative project outcomes, and 60% to their own research on related themes (broadly conceived). Reporting to Dan Hicks, they will join a growing research group around African art, heritage and restitution, with multiple current international collaborations across Africa, Europe and North America.
For further information please see : https://www.volkswagenstiftung.de/en/news-press/news/cultural-heritage-what-yesterday-teaches-us-for-tomorrow.
For a presentation of the project by the PI’ss:
By loading the video, you agree to YouTube’s privacy policy.
Learn more
The successful candidate will hold a PhD in History of Art, Anthropology, or another relevant Humanities or Social Science discipline, completed before 1 July 2021. The post will start on 1 October 2021, or as soon as possible thereafter.
Applications are particularly welcome from black and minority ethnic candidates, who are under-represented in academic posts at the University of Oxford.
To apply, please send a CV, and a covering letter setting out your reasons for applying and how you meet the selection criteria. Applications must be received is 12 noon on Monday 6 September 2021. We expect that interviews will be held in the week beginning 20 September.
