World's most prestigious libraries open their doors to UK academics

Alison Stone, an English Literature PhD student at the University of Exeter has secured one of the fellowships with the Arts and Humanities Research Council’s (AHRC) International Placement Scheme (IPS).

In an increasingly globalised world there is the need for researchers to build strong international experiences. The IPS facilitates such experiences by providing funded fellowships at some of the world’s leading research institutions which include the Yale Center for British Art, Smithsonian Institution, Harry Ransom Center, National Institutes for the Humanities and The Huntington Library. 

Each organisation is offering dedicated access to their globally renowned collections, resources and expertise. This unique opportunity enables the fellowship holders to enrich their research, understandings and connections through immersion in thriving research cultures, with privileges unavailable to independent visiting scholars.

Alison Stone will be one of eight IPS fellows to attend the Harry Ransom Center, USA. The Centre specialises in literature, photography, film, art, and the performing arts; its vast collections include the first ever photograph. Stone’s research will focus on ‘Contemporary British Poetry and Objectivism’ whilst at the Harry Ransom Center which is part of the University of Texas, Austin. 

The importance of this fellowship towards the development of Alison Stone’s research is significant as she has a strong interest in archival work.  Her thesis focuses on a neglected influence in British poetry of the 1950s and 60s – the poetry of the American late-modernist group the 'Objectivists.'

Stone said:“The Harry Ransom Center houses materials which are unique and invaluable to my research. I'll be able look at the collections of British poet Charles Tomlinson and American poet Louis Zukofsky. This will enable me to make links between materials held here in the UK, where I've already done some research in archives at the National Library of Scotland and at Cambridge University, and with the Harry Ransom Center in the U.S.”

She added:“This is an incredible opportunity for me to access unpublished materials which will significantly enrich my thesis, as well as to forge links with scholars at the University of Texas. This fellowship will also add research experience in an international context to my CV. As my PhD is all about transatlantic literary friendships and influences, I can't think of anything better than spending three months working in Austin."

The AHRC still has up to 25 IPS Library of Congress fellowships to award. These will be announced in July 2014.