PhD Cohort 2019
Funding: AHRC DTP
Project Title: Fashion Narratives of the First World War
Supervisors: Prof Frances Lennard and Dr Sabine Wieber, School of Culture & Creative Arts
What was your research about?
How civilian women’s fashion in Britain was changed by the First World War, and how stories of war can be told in museums using fashion collections.
What made you apply for the SGSAH AHRC DTP?
I undertook a PhD with the specific intention of having a career in the museum sector.
Which aspects of your PhD did you enjoy the most?
Object-based research, connecting with other PhDs and collaborating on events, doing a museum internship, writing something that I really cared about, working with my wonderful supervisors.
How has your PhD helped you to decide on a career path?
I started my PhD with a specific career in mind, and it definitely helped me get into that sector. I briefly considered staying in academia, but realized it was not right for me. Doing a SGSAH funded internship at the Museum of Edinburgh was vital for me getting the job and the experience gave me a really good grounding in the sector.
And now?
I am working as Fashion Curator at the Museum of London, I got the job two weeks before my viva and have been here over three years. I do still do some research, but my job is hugely varied, so there are lots of other elements too. It is my dream job and I love it!
One piece of advice you would give an incoming PhD researcher?
Remember to enjoy your PhD. There is so much negativity in the academic world and a PhD can feel really overwhelming and isolating. But there is so much to enjoy, and it is a very unique opportunity to immerse yourself in a project of your own making. Try and take a step back now and again and reflect on that privilege!
Where can people find you?
Twitter: @luciewhitmore