Academic Lead

LSTM was founded in 1898 to tackle the economic cost to the empire caused by ‘tropical’ diseases. The institution’s existence in Liverpool was born out of the city’s instrumental role in the Transatlantic Slave Trade and its connections to the transatlantic slave economy.

The founding donation was given by Sir Alfred Lewis Jones (ALJ) an influential shipping magnate who owned the Elder Dempster Shipping Line and who made significant profits from the colonial exploitation of various African countries. Further information about LSTM’s story can be found here.

Our 2023 Black History Month Event ‘Exploring Colonial Legacies and Restorative Action’, (featuring leading experts including Professor Stephen Small, Dr Ama Biney, Laurence Westgaph and Dr Lioba Hirsch) gives an insight into the authentic, transparent and decolonial discussions we are committed to having about our history.

This 2-year independent research project seeks to create a rigorous, decolonial record of the institution’s history, beginning with our founding and the colonial period. The outputs of the project will inform conversations about the institution’s colonial legacies and the future development of our history and heritage strategy.

An external advisory panel will be appointed to steer and guide the research team in their work.  This panel will consist of historians, experts in related fields and representatives of communities whose histories relate to colonialism.

LSTM is seeking a senior academic historian to lead the project. Ideally, you will have experience leading research projects and supervising researchers. We anticipate this research will be the equivalent of 0.2 FTE.

LSTM particularly welcomes applications from Black and Minority Ethnic candidates who are descendants of, or affected by colonialism or slavery.

LSTM will fund the project for two years, which includes the Academic Lead and a full time Research Assistant/Associate for the duration of the project. The nature of the funding mechanism and contract type for the Academic Lead will be discussed with the successful applicant, to accommodate other commitments.

Further information about the project can be found in our Academic Lead brochure attached here.

For an informal discussion about the project and our aims or if you have any questions, please contact Nicola Roberts (nicola.roberts@lstmed.ac.uk) who can direct your query as appropriate.

Interested historians are invited to submit a proposal via the link on our vacancy page. Your proposal should include the following:

• A cover letter (max 1-page).
• Curriculum Vitae (max 2-pages).
• Proposal outlining the approach to the project (max 2-pages).
• Samples of previous work on colonial history or related subjects.
• A cost estimate for the duration of the project (note the costs for the Research Assistant will be met by LSTM and hence should not be included in the budget).

Timelines

• Submission deadline for proposals:    closing date 16^th September 2024
• Panel review: w/c 23^rd September 2024
• Interviews: w/c 14^th October 2024
• Expected outcome: w/c 31^st October
• Expected start date: November 2024