Call for Papers: Limmud PhD Programme
23 August 2024
Candidates should submit a 200-word summary of their PhD research by midnight on Sunday 15 September 2024.
Be a part of Limmud Festival’s inaugural PhD programme, created to build a network of emerging academics in the field of Jewish studies across the UK! For the first time, Limmud will award day places for up to ten PhD students working in Jewish studies (including but not limited to history, literature, art, Torah, politics, sociology, anthropology) to attend Festival 2024 from 22 to 25 December 2024 in Birmingham
What is it?
Selected candidates will be required to contribute two sessions, which will be highlighted in the Festival programme and given personalised marketing to advertise our cohort of PhD researchers:
Session 1: A presentation on their field of research
This could be an introduction to the topic, part of a thesis chapter, a deep dive into a source of their choice, or something discovered in a rabbit hole! Limmud is all about learning and we’re excited to hear all about new research in Jewish studies in the UK. This also acts as an opportunity for PhD researchers to present their work to a different kind of audience, beyond an academic conference, and build experience in public outreach and engagement.
Session 2: Collaborative session
Candidates may suggest an academic they would like to invite to Festival (although this cannot be guaranteed) or choose a speaker already part of our Festival 2024 programme (Limmud will share details to support this). Collaborative sessions may be a co-written presentation, an ‘in conversation’ style related to a recent publication, a roundtable, or any other creative ideas the candidate might have! We are keen to promote mentoring opportunities between PhD researchers and more senior academics in Jewish studies, facilitating feedback and dialogue across lines of experience, and demystifying academic hierarchies.
How to Apply
Candidates should submit a 200-word summary of their PhD research, as well as suggestions for the two sessions they might offer (thesis presentation and collaborative session, 100 words each) via the online form by midnight on Sunday 15 September 2024.
Limmud Festival FAQs:
What is Limmud?
Limmud was founded over forty years ago as a UK Jewish educators’ conference. It has become an inspirational, volunteer-led learning organisation which seeks to create unrivalled opportunities for teaching, learning, networking, innovating, and connecting. To make Festival happen, over 100 volunteers and a small full-time office staff put Festival together.
Limmud events happen globally, from Belarus to Belgium, New York to the Negev and Turkey to Toronto. Limmud Festival UK is our flagship event, attracting over 2,700 participants from all ages and backgrounds. You can read more about our mission and values at www.limmud.org.
When will Limmud Festival take place?
Limmud Festival will take place from 22nd to 25th December 2024, with a pre-Festival Shabbat (attended by over 600 people) on 20th to 21st December.
Will there be an option to attend and present online?
Unfortunately, not. We intend for the whole of Festival to be in person this year and as such this invitation is to present in-person only.
What am I expected to offer at Festival?
As part of the PhD programme, selected candidates will offer two sessions. To facilitate this, candidates will be offered a day pass to Festival 2024 for free, which includes an entire day of programming and Kosher meals.
What are the arrangements for presenters at Festival?
As a volunteer-run charity with a mission to enable learning for as many people as possible, we cannot offer direct payment for your sessions beyond the discount outlined above, but we hope that there is tremendous reward in the experience of participating at Limmud Festival. In case you haven’t done so before, here is a little flavour of what it is like.