The Centre for Postgraduate Quaker Studies at Woodbrooke Quaker Study Centre/ the University of Birmingham  (http://www.woodbrooke.org.uk/pages/postgraduate-quaker-studies.html) have obtained funding via the Quakers and  Business Group (http://qandb.org/) for a studentship, tenable for three years from September 30, 2013.
Quakers, or members of the Religious Society of Friends, are well known for their industrial heritage and yet today very few Friends are involved in the business world. This is a change that came about largely in the twentieth century, but the nature of this change is unclear.  Quaker economic and business history has been researched up to about the end of the First World War. Emden, Raistrick, Kennedy, Walvin, Milligan, Elliott, Chapman-Huston & Cripps, and others have explored the 19th Century and earlier Quaker business and economic experience and contribution. A number of studies set partly or wholly within the 20th Century have been completed and published, (by Deborah Cadbury & others) but no comprehensive study of the post First World War period has yet been attempted. The award holder will engage in research on the changing nature of Quaker involvement with business in the twentieth century. Academic supervision of the doctoral thesis will be overseen by Professor Ben Pink Dandelion (Centre for Postgraduate Quaker Studies, Department of Theology and Religion). http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/students/courses/postgraduate/research/thr/quaker-studies.aspx
Applicants should normally have, or be studying for, a Masterâs degree in Modern History, Religious Studies, Quaker Studies or a related discipline. Experience in archival research is preferred.  The studentship is £17,000 per annum, payable termly. The standard University of Birmingham tuition fees will be paid by the student out of their studentship.
For an informal conversation regarding the award, telephone Ben Pink Dandelion on 0121 415 6782.
To apply, send a personal statement outlining why your skills to date particularly equip you for this research and what interests you in this topic and your CV including details of two referees.
This needs to be sent by clicking the APPLY button below, by midnight on June 25. The shortlisting will be made on June 26 and interviews will be held on the afternoon of July 11. References will be taken up at this stage and those shortlisted will be expected to send a 2000 word research proposal by midnight on July 9.