Digital Humanities Fellowship 2026/27 – Advocacy & Engagement Opportunity in the UK and Ireland

Section 2: Theme – Openness and Transparency

The 2026/27 Advocacy & Engagement Fellowship is anchored in the theme of Openness and Transparency, a principle that lies at the very heart of contemporary Digital Humanities. This theme is not incidental; it reflects a deliberate choice by the UK-Ireland Digital Humanities Association to foreground values that are increasingly critical in academic, cultural, and policy contexts. By focusing on openness and transparency, the fellowship seeks to address pressing challenges in research culture, knowledge dissemination, and cross-sector collaboration, while also promoting inclusivity and accountability.

2.1 The Significance of Openness in Digital Humanities

Openness in Digital Humanities encompasses a wide range of practices and commitments, including:

• Open Access to Scholarship: Ensuring that research outputs are freely available to the public, thereby democratizing access to knowledge and reducing barriers for researchers, practitioners, and communities outside traditional academic institutions.
• Open Data and Resources: Promoting the sharing of datasets, tools, and methodologies to enable replication, innovation, and collaborative research across disciplines and sectors.
• Open Collaboration: Encouraging partnerships between higher education institutions, cultural heritage organizations, technical professionals, and community groups to foster diverse perspectives and shared ownership of Digital Humanities projects.
• Open Pedagogy: Developing teaching and training resources that are accessible to a wide audience, thereby expanding the reach of Digital Humanities education and capacity-building.

Openness is not merely a technical or logistical matter; it is a philosophical commitment to inclusivity, equity, and the democratization of knowledge. By embedding openness into advocacy strategies, the fellowship aims to ensure that Digital Humanities remains a field that is accessible, responsive, and relevant to a broad spectrum of stakeholders.

2.2 Transparency as a Core Value

Transparency complements openness by emphasizing clarity, accountability, and integrity in research and advocacy practices. Within the context of Digital Humanities, transparency involves:

• Transparent Research Practices: Clearly articulating methodologies, assumptions, and limitations in research outputs to foster trust and credibility.
• Transparent Policy Engagement: Ensuring that advocacy efforts with funders, national bodies, and institutions are conducted openly, with clear communication of objectives, processes, and outcomes.
• Transparent Community Engagement: Building trust with stakeholders by maintaining open lines of communication, sharing progress and challenges, and inviting feedback throughout the fellowship.
• Transparent Evaluation and Reporting: Producing outputs that are not only accessible but also accompanied by documentation that explains how conclusions were reached and how recommendations can be implemented.

Transparency is essential for building legitimacy in advocacy efforts. It reassures stakeholders that Digital Humanities is a field committed to ethical practices, rigorous standards, and accountability to the communities it serves.

2.3 The Fellowship’s Role in Advancing Openness and Transparency

The Advocacy & Engagement Fellow will play a pivotal role in operationalizing the theme of openness and transparency. This will involve:

1. Mapping Practices Across the UK and Ireland
   • Conducting desk research to identify existing practices of openness and transparency in Digital Humanities.
   • Surveying the community to gather insights into challenges, opportunities, and best practices.
   • Contextualizing differences between Ireland and the UK, particularly in relation to frameworks such as REF, UKRI, Research Ireland, and Impact 2030.
2. Engaging Stakeholders
   • Organizing interviews, focus groups, and workshops to facilitate dialogue around openness and transparency.
   • Building cross-sector partnerships with non-HEI organizations and communities to expand the reach of Digital Humanities advocacy.
3. Developing Value Propositions
   • Creating clear, evidence-based arguments that demonstrate the value of openness and transparency in Digital Humanities.
   • Providing researchers with tools to articulate the significance of their work in policy and funding contexts.
4. Producing Outputs
   • Generating reports, podcasts, videos, or other media that document findings and recommendations.
   • Ensuring that all outputs are shared openly with the Digital Humanities community, thereby embodying the principles of openness and transparency.

2.4 Potential Areas of Exploration

The fellowship invites projects that explore openness and transparency in diverse ways. Potential areas include:

• Cross-Sector Collaboration: Developing best practice guidance, collaborative tools, or training programs to support partnerships between academia and non-HEI organizations.
• Research Culture Improvement: Investigating how openness and transparency can enhance research culture, particularly by addressing differences in practices between Ireland and the UK.
• Public Access to Scholarship: Identifying barriers to open access and proposing strategies to improve public engagement with digital scholarship.
• Policy-Level Advocacy: Crafting value propositions that highlight the importance of Digital Humanities in policy and funding contexts, thereby strengthening the field’s position in national and institutional agendas.

2.5 Broader Impact of the Theme

By centering the fellowship on openness and transparency, the UK-Ireland Digital Humanities Association is making a strategic statement about the future of the field. The fellowship is not only about individual outputs; it is about shaping a culture of advocacy that prioritizes inclusivity, accountability, and accessibility. The impact of this theme will extend beyond the fellowship year, influencing how Digital Humanities is practiced, taught, and valued across the UK and Ireland.

Section 3: Eligibility and Qualifications

The 2026/27 Advocacy & Engagement Fellowship is open to a wide range of applicants, reflecting the interdisciplinary and cross-sector nature of Digital Humanities. The Association recognizes that advocacy requires diverse perspectives, and therefore encourages applications from individuals across different professional and academic backgrounds.

3.1 Residency Requirement

• Applicants must be resident in the United Kingdom or Ireland.
• This requirement ensures that fellows are embedded within the regional context of the Association’s work, enabling them to engage directly with stakeholders and communities in both countries.

3.2 Professional Backgrounds

Applications are welcomed from individuals with experience in:

• Academic Research: Scholars conducting research in Digital Humanities or related fields.
• Digital Practitioners: Professionals engaged in digital projects, tool development, or digital scholarship.
• Technical Professionals: Individuals with expertise in computing, data management, or technical infrastructure relevant to Digital Humanities.
• GLAM Sector Professionals: Staff from galleries, libraries, archives, and museums who are interested in expanding their role within the Digital Humanities community.

3.3 Diversity and Inclusion

• The Association particularly encourages applications from those traditionally underrepresented in Digital Humanities.
• Diversity is seen as a strength, and the fellowship aims to amplify voices that have historically been marginalized in academic and cultural contexts.

3.4 Joint Applications

• The fellowship allows for job-sharing arrangements, enabling two individuals to apply jointly.
• Joint applicants must submit a single application form and statement of interest, but provide individual CVs and letters of support.

3.5 Letters of Support

• Applicants who are currently enrolled as students or employed by an organization must provide a letter of support from their manager or academic supervisor.
• This letter should acknowledge that approximately ten hours per month will be dedicated to fellowship activities.

Section 4: Fellowship Responsibilities and Outputs

The Advocacy & Engagement Fellow will undertake a range of responsibilities designed to advance the Association’s advocacy plan. These responsibilities are structured to ensure that the fellowship produces tangible outputs while also fostering community engagement.

4.1 Research Activities

• Desk Research: Reviewing existing literature, policies, and practices related to openness and transparency in Digital Humanities.
• Community Surveys: Designing and administering surveys to gather insights from the Digital Humanities community.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Conducting interviews, focus groups, and workshops with key stakeholders.

4.2 Value Proposition Development

• Based on research and engagement activities, the fellow will develop a set of value propositions that articulate the significance of Digital Humanities in policy and funding contexts.
• These propositions will serve as tools for researchers and practitioners to advocate for their work.

4.3 Community Engagement

• The fellow will contribute to wider community engagement around advocacy, openness, and transparency.
• This may include organizing sessions at in-person events, contributing to regional meetings, and producing accessible outputs.

4.4 Outputs

The fellowship requires the production of outputs that are shared openly with the community. These may include:

• Written reports.
• Podcasts.
• Videos.
• Other media forms.

All outputs must be accompanied by supporting documentation and a proposed implementation plan.

Section 5: Value, Duration, and Funding

5.1 Duration

• The fellowship will last for 12 months, commencing in October 2026.
• Exact start and completion dates can be adjusted to accommodate the fellow’s circumstances.

5.2 Time Commitment

• Approximately 10 hours per month.
• Flexible scheduling to allow fellows to balance other professional or academic commitments.

5.3 Remuneration

• £4,000 stipend, paid in three instalments.
• Payment can be made directly to the fellow or to their employing organization as a buyout.

5.4 Additional Support

• £1,000 to support fellowship activities (travel, catering, event expenses).
• Potential access to additional funds for attending key Digital Humanities events, subject to approval.

Section 6: Application Process

6.1 Required Materials

Applicants must submit the following:

1. Application Form (including contact details for a reference).
2. Curriculum Vitae (maximum 2 pages).
3. Proposal (maximum 1,000 words) outlining interest, research area, and intended outputs.
4. Implementation Plan (maximum 500 words), optionally supplemented by a Gantt chart.
5. Letter of Support (if applicable).
6. Equality and Diversity Form (optional).

6.2 Submission

• All materials must be submitted as PDFs to: uk-ie.digitalhumanities@sas.ac.uk.

6.3 Deadlines

• Application deadline: Monday, 17 August 2026 at 23:59 BST.
• Shortlisting: Week commencing 31 August 2026.
• Interviews: Week commencing 7 September 2026.
• Fellowship start: Early October 2026.

Section 7: Key Dates and Timeline

• Application Deadline: 17 August 2026.
• Shortlisting: 31 August 2026.
• Interviews: 7 September 2026.
• Commencement: October 2026.

Send your application to uk-ie.digitalhumanities@sas.ac.uk today!

Section 8: Potential Research Areas and Projects

Examples of potential projects include:

• Developing best practice guidance for cross-sector partnerships.
• Contextualizing differences in research practices between Ireland and the UK.
• Improving public and open access to digital scholarship.
• Creating value propositions for Digital Humanities in policy contexts.

Section 9: Benefits of Participation

• Opportunity to shape advocacy strategies in Digital Humanities.
• Engagement with leading stakeholders across the UK and Ireland.
• Professional recognition and financial support.
• Contribution to a theme of openness and transparency that will influence the field for years to come.

Section 10: Broader Impact on Digital Humanities

The fellowship is expected to have a lasting impact by:

• Strengthening advocacy for Digital Humanities.
• Promoting openness and transparency as core values.
• Enhancing collaboration across sectors.
• Supporting diversity and inclusion in the field.

Section 11: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

11.1 General Questions

1. What is the purpose of the fellowship? To advance advocacy in Digital Humanities, focusing on openness and transparency.
2. Who can apply? Residents of the UK or Ireland with relevant experience in research, digital practice, technical work, or GLAM sectors.
3. Is joint application allowed? Yes, two individuals may apply together.
4. What is the time commitment? Approximately 10 hours per month.
5. What is the stipend? £4,000, plus £1,000 for fellowship activities.

11.2 Application Questions

6. What documents are required? Application form, CV, proposal, implementation plan, letter of support (if applicable), and optional equality and diversity form.
7. How should applications be submitted? As PDFs to uk-ie.digitalhumanities@sas.ac.uk.
8. What is the deadline? 17 August 2026 at 23:59 BST.
9. When will interviews take place? Week commencing 7 September 2026.
10. When does the fellowship start? Early October 2026.

11.3 Fellowship Activities

11. What kind of research will the fellow undertake? Desk research, surveys, stakeholder engagement, and workshops.
12. What outputs are expected? Reports, podcasts, videos, or other media, shared openly with the community.
13. Will the fellow attend events? Yes, including regional meetings and potentially other key Digital Humanities events.
14. Is flexibility allowed in scheduling? Yes, adjustments can be made to start and completion dates.
15. Can students apply? Yes, with a letter of support from their supervisor.

Conclusion

The 2026/27 Advocacy & Engagement Fellowship represents a unique opportunity to contribute to the advancement of Digital Humanities in the UK and Ireland. By focusing on the theme of Openness and Transparency, the fellowship underscores the Association’s commitment to inclusivity, accountability, and accessibility. The appointed fellow will not only undertake research and stakeholder engagement but also produce outputs that will shape advocacy strategies for years to come. With financial support, flexibility, and a clear mandate, the fellowship offers an invaluable platform for individuals passionate about Digital Humanities to make a lasting impact.

To explore and learn more about other fellowship opportunities, visit the OFY website HERE.