St Edmund’s is delighted to announce the establishment of a new academic position: The John Henry Newman Research Fellowship in Catholic Studies.
This prestigious Fellowship is made possible by the generous bequest of the late Rev Dr Ian Ker (1942–2022), the preeminent scholar on the life and thought of St John Henry Newman, and is a testament to his enduring legacy and commitment to fostering Catholic intellectual tradition within higher education.
About the Fellowship
The John Henry Newman Research Fellowship is a three-year, stipendiary postdoctoral position open to early-career scholars who have recently completed a PhD or have submitted a doctoral thesis in one of the following fields:
- English;
- History;
- History of Art;
- Modern Languages;
- Philosophy;
- Theology.
Fellows must propose a research project that engages with Roman Catholicism within one or more of these disciplines. Where candidates are of equal merit, preference will be given to those whose work engages directly with the life, thought, or influence of John Henry Newman.
A Legacy of Faith and Scholarship
Rev Dr Ian Ker was widely regarded as the foremost authority on Newman, authoring the definitive biography John Henry Newman and numerous volumes exploring Newman’s theology, sermons, and spirituality.
Master of St Edmund’s College, Professor Chris Young, said:
The College is honoured to carry forward Rev Dr Ker’s legacy through this Fellowship, which reflects both his scholarly passions and St Edmund’s commitment to advancing Catholic intellectual life.
“By providing a stable, endowed, and fully integrated postdoctoral role within the Arts and Humanities, St Edmund’s aims not only to support outstanding individual scholarship, but to make a broader commitment to academic renewal—beginning with the disciplines and traditions that shape our moral, cultural, and philosophical understanding of the world.
The Fellowship will begin in October 2026 and with applications now open, researchers are encouraged to apply and become part of a vibrant, welcoming, and forward-thinking academic community.
Applications for the John Henry Newman Research Fellowship in Catholic Studies are now open.
- Eligibility: PhD holders or near-completion candidates (thesis submitted), in relevant disciplines.
- Term: Up to three years, with stipend, accommodation, and supervision duties.
- Deadline: 02 January 2026
Find out more and how to apply
