UCL Impact Studentship
in Danish-English Translation
Applications are invited from suitably qualified candidates for a UCL Impact PhD Studentship in Danish-English Translation.
Vacancy Information
UCL
Department / Division: Department
of Scandinavian Studies
School of European Languages, Culture and Society
Duration of Studentship: 3 years
Stipend: £15,000 per annum
A fully-funded three-year PhD studentship sponsored by Statens Kunstråds Litteraturudvalg (The Danish Arts Council’s Committee for Literature) and UCL is available under the supervision of Dr Claire Thomson and Dr Jakob Stougaard-Nielsen in the Department of Scandinavian Studies, School of European Languages, Culture and Society, UCL, starting 01 October 2013 (negotiable). The studentship award consists of fees paid for three years at the UK/EU rate, and a stipend of £15,000 per annum for three years.
Studentship project description
From Miss Smilla to Sara Lund: Danish-English Literary Translation in a Changing Media Landscape
The focus of the proposed research project is a literary-sociological analysis of the reception and marketing of Danish literature in the UK, in the context of the current wave of media and popular interest in Danish culture. As a UCL Impact PhD Student, the successful candidate will also be expected to undertake public engagement work in the broad field of Danish literature in the UK (including, for example, organising book club meetings and other events, attending book fairs and blogging), and to facilitate the development of a new network for Danish-English translators. Training and support in public engagement work and relevant research methodologies will be provided.
The research project starts from the assumption that the current wave of popular and critical interest in Danish culture in the UK is an unprecedented phenomenon which can only be understood by analyzing (a) how new business models and emerging technologies in publishing, television and journalism are interacting with social media; (b) how communities of interest around these cultural products are thereby produced and sustained; and (c) the interaction between a dominant genre (crime fiction/television) and other less fashionable genres (for example, short fiction, science fiction, mystery, romance and children’s literature). The research project will thus provide a detailed account of the reception and marketing of a ‘small-nation’ literature in the UK, during a period of intense technological change. As is the norm with PhDs in the Humanities, the student appointed will shape the project’s focus, historical parameters and methodologies, under the guidance of the supervisors, according to the student’s disciplinary expertise, and within the remit set by the funder.
Person Specification
Essential criteria:
- Educated to First or Upper Second Class degree or equivalent in a discipline relevant to the research project
- Excellent understanding of written and spoken Danish
- Excellent standard of written and spoken English
- Demonstrable experience of event organisation
Desirable criteria:
- A Masters-level qualification in a discipline relevant to the research project
- Demonstrable experience of design and maintenance of websites, blogs, or other social networking platforms
- Knowledge of the current translation and publishing industries in the UK context
Eligibility
Due to funding restrictions this position is only open to UK/EU citizens.
How to apply
Applications should be emailed by 5pm on 05 July, 2013 to Karin Charles (k.charles@ucl.ac.uk). Applicants must supply the following documents in Word or pdf format as email attachments:
(1) A covering letter outlining the applicant’s suitability for the studentship
(2) A research proposal detailing how the applicant would approach the PhD project, within the parameters outlined under ‘Studentship description’, above (maximum 2 pages A4)
(3) A curriculum vitae
(4) The names and contact details of three referees, at least two of whom must be academic referees
Incomplete applications, and applications from candidates who do not meet the essential criteria indicated in the Person Specification above, will not be considered.
Timescale
Closing date for applications: 5pm, 05 July 2013
Interview date: It is expected that interviews will be held during the week beginning 15 July 2013
Studentship Start Date: 01 October 2013 (negotiable)
Contact for enquiries
Informal enquiries are welcome, and should be addressed to Dr Claire Thomson (email claire.thomson@ucl.ac.uk).
Dr Claire Thomson | Head of Department | Department of Scandinavian Studies | School of European Languages, Culture and Society | UCL | Gower Street | London WC1E 6BT | Tel: +44 (0)20 7679 7176 | Email: claire.thomson@ucl.ac.uk
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