Chevening Overseas Territories in the Atlantic and Caribbean British Library Fellowship

Hosted by the British Library

Open for applications until 15 May 2026, at 12:00 (UTC)

Applications for 2026-27 Chevening Overseas Territories in the Atlantic and Caribbean British Library Fellowship are now open!

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Overview

The Chevening Overseas Territories in the Atlantic and Caribbean British Library Fellowship is co-funded by the British Library and the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.   

It is open to applications from mid-career professionals from Anguilla, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Falkland Islands, Montserrat, St Helena, Turks and Caicos Islands. With a strong knowledge of at least one Caribbean or Atlantic Overseas Territory, who can connect the British Library’s collections with audiences in the Territories.

The fellowship will be based in the Eccles Institute for the Americas and Oceania of the British Library, working closely with colleagues in other departments, including Contemporary British collections and International.    

Duration 

The duration of this fellowship is 12 months.  

  • Start: January 2027  
  • End: December 2027/January 2028 

More about the programme

Are you ready to bring your expertise to the British Library and help redefine how this world-leading cultural institution collects, preserves, and represents the Caribbean and Atlantic Overseas Territories in its collections? 

This unique opportunity is open to one exceptional candidate.

Fellows will have the opportunity to: 

  • Create one collection guide (either a general overview of British Overseas Territories or an in-depth survey of a particular Territory)  
  • Publish two blogs   
  • Prepare two presentations: 
      • Researcher Packed Lunch presentation (knowledge & skills sharing for BL staff)  
      • Summer Scholars presentation (aimed at a general public audience)  
  • Produce one report on the current cultural and educational landscape of BOTs  

Fellows will gain:   

  • First-hand exposure to rare primary sources that may reshape understanding of regional identity and history 
  • Published blogs under the umbrella of a world-renowned institution 
  • Increased international academic visibility 

Applications are open 

Ready to turn your ambitions and experiences into lasting change?

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Eligibility criteria:

In addition to meeting our standard eligibility criteria, you must:  

  • Be a citizen of Anguilla, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Falkland Islands, Montserrat, St Helena, Turks and Caicos Islands and be a resident in one of these countries at the point of application  
  • A strong background in humanities research or a library professional with experience of collections development and management 
  • In-depth knowledge of the history and / or culture of one or more BOTs 
  • Advanced research skills in humanities, supported by strong written and interpersonal communication abilities, as well as proficiency in computer applications, including Excel
  • Have a postgraduate level qualification (or equivalent professional training or experience in a relevant area) at the time of application. 
  • Have significant professional and/or academic research experience (at least five years). 
  • Be currently employed or a currently enrolled PhD candidate (PhD must not be with a UK/EU or USA university) 

Funding and benefits 

  • 12-month period of project-based activity at the British Library 
  • Living expenses for the duration of the fellowship 
  • Return economy airfare  
  • Allowance package for fellowship-related activities
  • Up to £1,000 for approved project-related expenses. 

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Further info

The theme for the fellowship project and digital outputs is The British Library and British Overseas Territories in the Atlantic and Caribbean.

The British Overseas Territories (BOTs) in the Caribbean and Atlantic such as Bermuda, the British Virgin Islands, Turks & Caicos, Cayman Islands, Montserrat, and Anguilla are culturally connected to the Anglophone Caribbean but remain constitutionally tied to the UK. As a result, they have often been overlooked in the British Library’s collections and narratives.

This fellowship seeks to explore how these territories are represented in the Library’s collections, past and present. Candidates are expected to have strong familiarity with at least one BOT and to share findings with relevant communities.

The Fellowship will be structured around three central tasks:

  • Identifying and promoting significant heritage materials related to BOTs
  • Reviewing historic and current collecting practices, including legal deposit and web archiving
  • Providing an overview of cultural and educational landscapes within BOTs to guide future Library practices

The Fellow is expected to deliver a comprehensive portfolio of outputs, such as:

Essential:

  • Produce a collection guide, offering either an overarching overview of the British Overseas Territories or a detailed study focused on a specific Territory.
  • Write two blog posts highlighting key findings and insights from the research.
  • Deliver a Researcher Packed Lunch presentation to share knowledge and skills with British Library staff.
  • Present at the Summer Scholars series, engaging a broad public audience.
  • Prepare a detailed report on the current cultural and educational landscape of the British Overseas Territories.

Desirable:

  • Host a digital public event, livestreamed to one or more British Overseas Territories.
  • Give a presentation at an academic or professional conference, sharing research outcomes with a wider scholarly or sectoral audience.

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