Early Career

We support the work of early career researchers by providing funding, offering networking opportunities, and fostering creativity and productivity through writing groups. See the individual tabs on this page for more information.

The AHRC-TORCH Graduate Fund

This fund provides awards across three streams:

• Interdisciplinary graduate conferences (up to £1,500)
• Public engagement with research projects (up to £1,000)
• Podcasts (up to £500)

The lead applicant must be a DPhil student but postdoctoral researchers and master's students are welcomed as co-applicants.

The Graduate Fund is open for applications in Michaelmas term each year (October-December). Notification of the next call for applications will be posted on these pages (see 'opportunities' tab).

Writing Initiatives

Research in Humanities disciplines can be a lonely business. Whether you're spending time in a library or an archive, chances are you are working alone for much of the day. Our various writing initiatives help to combat the isolation of research and provide spaces for you to write creatively and productively in the company of others. Read more about the various initiatives below and sign up for whichever one best suits your needs.

Shut Up and Write

If your attention span is short and your 'to write' list is long, this group is for you! Using the Pomodoro technique, you will write for 20-minute periods, separated by short breaks. No emails, no distractions, just focussed and dedicated time to get your work done. Shut Up and Write meets for two hours in even weeks of term; book on upcoming sessions using the 'events' tab on this page.

Baillie Gifford Writing Partnerships Programme

If you are looking for accountability and peer support, consider joining this programme, sponsored by Baillie Gifford and co-ordinated by Dr Emily Troscianko. You will be paired with a writing partner with whom you will meet regularly to share your goals, challenges, and work on your own research, together. There is also a huge range of other support on offer as part of the programme, including social events, intensive 'writing bootcamps', weekly writing tips, points of inspiration, and even the odd creative thinking game. To find out more about the programme, email emily.troscianko@humanities.ox.ac.uk.