The John Di Ciacca Postdoctoral Fellowship
Applications are invited for the John Di Ciacca Postdoctoral Fellowship in Italian Diaspora Studies. The Fellowship is tenable at the Italian Department of the University of Edinburgh from 1 September 2011 to 31 August 2012.
The Fellowship
The John Di Ciacca Postdoctoral Fellowship (£10,000) is generously supported by the Blairston Charitable Trust and is the first scholarship to be created as part of the Nicola Benedetti Scholarship Fund. Established in 2010 and starting September 2011, the Nicola Benedetti Scholarship Fund will support Masters, PhD Programmes and Postdoctoral Fellowships in Italian Studies at the University of Edinburgh.
Italian Studies at Edinburgh
Italian is part of the School of Literatures Languages and Cultures, Division of European Languages and Cultures, and is the home of the Edinburgh Journal of Gadda Studies and the Edinburgh Gadda Prize. Through a rich interdisciplinary approach to research and teaching which includes the visual arts, music, literature, history and philosophy, the Department encourages its students to explore the fundamental Italian-ness of European culture from the Early Modern period to the present and contributes to cross-School courses in Cultural Studies, Literary Theory, Political Theory, Migration Studies, Gender Studies and Translation Studies.
Italian Diaspora Studies at Edinburgh
Thanks to the John Di Ciacca Postdoctoral Fellowship the Department will be in position to carry out a far-reaching investigation into the Italian diaspora, especially from the areas around Picinisco and Barga, in Central Italy, and its influence on Scotland and its people since the early modern period. The study will take into account a number of cultural and material specifics and will examine key factors such as geography, climate, diet, political history, religion, the arts, banking and trade. It will also assess processes and identifiers of integration and assimilation to establish how and to what extent the Italian Diaspora has shaped cross-cultural understanding and bonds in both the home and the host country.
The Fellow’s contribution
The Fellow will work with Professor Pedriali across a first-phase set of tasks which may include work on the Di Ciacca Collection and participation in projects in the community in both Scotland and Italy. The Fellow will be expected to contribute to the development of the Diaspora Studies profile of the Department through a combination of research and teaching activities and to perform an ambassadorial role in the wider community through conference papers, public presentations and the organisation of project-related events.
Eligibility
Applicants must have been awarded a doctorate in Italian Studies, preferably on aspects of 19th and 20th century Italian culture, by the time of the application, and have near-native competency in Italian and English. Applicants should not have held a permanent position at a university. A strong publication record, evidence of commitment to research projects involving the larger community and experience in archival work will be a definite advantage.
Enquiries
Informal enquiries may be made directly to Professor Federica Pedriali.
References
Applicants must ask two referees to send their references directly to John Di Ciacca Fellowship Applications by the closing date. References should comment on the quality of the research proposal as well as on the qualifications of the applicant. One referee should certify the successful completion and viva of the candidate’s PhD thesis.
Applications details
The completed application form (word file, pdf file), together with updated CV and two writing samples should be sent to:
Professor Federica G. Pedriali
Head of Italian Studies
David Hume Tower
George Square
Edinburgh EH8 9JX
Scotland UK
Closing date: 15 June 2011. Applications received after that date will not be considered. Decisions will be notified by email by 30 June 2011.
