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Images of British Sea Power in Liverpool: The Dynamic Relationship between Greek and Roman Art and British Colonial Identity in Liverpool’s Civic Spaces

Funding
Funded
Study mode
Full-time
Part-time
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Subject area
Archaeology, Classics and Egyptology

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Overview

An interdisciplinary Classics/History project researching the relationship between Greek and Roman mythological imagery, architecture and the politics and society of C19th and C20th Liverpool and the British Empire.

About this opportunity

The British Empire drew heavily on the ancient civilisations of Greece and Rome as both a justification and inspiration for its colonial, military and commercial practices. Classical Greco-Roman art and mythology also inspired British writers, artists and architects. When large colonial institutions, both public and private, commissioned buildings, their exteriors were often richly adorned with Classical imagery of ancient sea-gods, monsters and warships. This project aims to locate, date, and identify each of these ancient mythological images used in the architecture of the port city of Liverpool to understand how their prominent use in public spaces reflected a shared understanding of the Classical tradition within British society, its connection to the British Empire and how these changed over time in a dynamic relationship between empire, architecture and people.

This is an interdisciplinary project that combines Classics with modern History. The successful student will be required to have good first degrees in a relevant subject. A knowledge of Ancient History, Classical Archaeology Greek/Latin language and working with archival/historical materials is highly desirable. A willingness to learn and/or prior experience of Excel and GIS are also essential.

The project will produce new understanding of how sound mediates spirituality and wellbeing in water-shaped environments and will demonstrate the value of sensory heritage in supporting adaptation to environmental change.

This project is offered as part of The AHRC-NERC Living Well with Water [LWwW] Doctoral Focal Award at the University’s of Hull and Liverpool, in partnership with National Trust, Royal Geographical Society (with IBG) and Tate Liverpool. By applying for one of our fully funded interdisciplinary doctoral awards you will explore the relationship between water, culture and community in coastal regions and become part of a new generation of researchers shaping solutions to urgent human and planetary health challenges.

You will participate in our innovative doctoral training programme, undertake a placement with one of our partner organisations, and learn research skills transferable to a variety of future careers.

https://www.hull.ac.uk/study/postgraduate-research/funded-opportunities/living-well-with-water

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Who is this for?

Candidates will have, or be due to obtain, a Master’s Degree or equivalent in a relevant subject. Exceptional candidates with a First Class Bachelor’s Degree in an appropriate field or significant professional experience will also be considered.

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How to apply

  1. 1. Contact supervisors

    Supervisors:

    Alan M. Greaves greaves@liverpool.ac.uk https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/people/alan-greaves
    Martin Wilcox M.Wilcox@hull.ac.uk http://www.hull.ac.uk/staff-directory/martin-wilcox

    Candidates wishing to apply should complete the University of Liverpool application form to apply for a PhD in Archaeology.

    Please review our guide on How to apply for a PhD | Postgraduate research | University of Liverpool carefully and complete the online postgraduate research application form to apply for this PhD project. Please ensure you include the project title and reference number LWwW002 when applying.

    You will also need to complete a Living Well with Water Doctoral Focal Award Supplementary Application Form which you can download here and upload your completed form, alongside the other supporting documents requested below.

    As part of our inclusive practices, the Living Well with Water Doctoral Focal Award adopts a process of assessing applications purely based on skills and attributes and does not consider any personal details. As such, we ask applicants to remove any personal details from the Supplementary Form which is used by the Panel to assess and select applicants for interview. The form asks for details of your education, training and employment history as well as some specific questions about your motivations and research experience and interests. It is very important that you do not include any personally identifying information such as name, age, gender, ethnic group, nationality etc.

  2. 2. Prepare your application documents

    You may need the following documents to complete your online application:

    • A research proposal (this should cover the research you’d like to undertake)
    • University transcripts and degree certificates to date
    • Passport details (international applicants only)
    • English language certificates (international applicants only)
    • A personal statement
    • A curriculum vitae (CV)
    • Contact details for two proposed supervisors
    • Names and contact details of two referees.
  3. 3. Apply

    Finally, register and apply online. You'll receive an email acknowledgment once you've submitted your application. We'll be in touch with further details about what happens next.

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Funding your PhD

This UKRI funded Studentship will cover full tuition fees (for 2025-26 this is £5,006 pa.) and pay a maintenance grant for 3.5 years, at the UKRI standard rates (for 2025-26 this is £20,780 pa.) The Studentship also comes with access to additional funding in the form of a Research Training Support Grant to fund consumables, conference attendance, etc.

UKRI Studentships are available to any prospective student wishing to apply including both home and international students. While UKRI funding will not cover international fees, a limited number of scholarships to meet the fee difference will be available to support outstanding international students.

We want all of our Staff and Students to feel that Liverpool is an inclusive and welcoming environment that actively celebrates and encourages diversity. We are committed to working with students to make all reasonable project adaptations including supporting those with caring responsibilities, disabilities or other personal circumstances. For example, If you have a disability you may be entitled to a Disabled Students Allowance on top of your studentship to help cover the costs of any additional support that a person studying for a doctorate might need as a result. We believe everyone deserves an excellent education and encourage students from all backgrounds and personal circumstances to apply.

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Contact us

Have a question about this research opportunity or studying a PhD with us? Please get in touch with us, using the contact details below, and we’ll be happy to assist you.

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