Jill Franklin Fellowship in Romanesque Architectural History

Rationale

The fellowship has been established in memory of Jill Franklin (1945-2023), a scholar best known for her work on the architecture of the Augustinian canons, principally of the 11th and 12th centuries, and for her contributions to the study of Anglo-Norman architectural sculpture. Jill was a council member and fieldworker for the Corpus of Romanesque Sculpture in Britain and Ireland, and joint author of the catalogue of paintings in the collection of the Society of Antiquaries. Though undertaking work at or for various institutions, Jill spent most of her career as an independent scholar.

The aim of the fellowship is to provide an opportunity to spend a month in Rome pursuing research into Romanesque architecture and allied arts (architectural sculpture, fittings and furnishings, monumental painting). Architectural history is here interpreted broadly, to encompass settlement and distribution patterns, institutional and documentary histories (monastic, episcopal, urban), as well as research into specific and/or groups of buildings. Romanesque is similarly interpreted loosely, and although the core chronological range is c. 1000-1200, applications that run into the 10th or 13th centuries will be considered. Proposals do not need to be specific to Rome or central Italy. Indeed, the purpose could be to enjoy a month’s thinking and writing time with access to first-class libraries in pursuit of a research objective whose geographical parameters lie outside Italy.

Eligibility

Applications are open to British and Commonwealth citizens, or those who are working or studying in the UK. The Fellowship is primarily aimed at independent scholars, though students undertaking research degrees and early career art/architectural historians may apply. Academics for whom research is a requirement of their employment contract are ineligible.

Duration & Benefits

The fellowship lasts for one month (30 nights) of the academic year 2025-6, with precise dates subject to availability of space at the BSR. These will need to be negotiated by the successful candidate upon award of the Fellowship and candidates should note that the School may not be able to offer the awardees their preferred dates. The British School will provide bed and board at the BSR (Via Gramsci), together with full access to the School’s facilities. A modest pot of spending money (approximately €900) is also provided, though successful applicants are responsible for their own travel to and from Rome.

Application Procedure

Applications are assessed by the British Archaeological Association, and are to be sent as email attachments to secretary@thebaa.org.

All applicants should provide:

• a research proposal (up to 750 words)
• a short CV of no more than two A4 pages, to include educational and employment history, and any publications to date
• a short covering statement, in which candidates are asked to confirm the grounds for their eligibility as outlined above
• the name and contact details of a referee
• an indication of the probable periods during the next academic year when the applicant would be able to take up the Fellowship.