Curatorial Research Micro-Internship:

Oxford University students are warmly invited to undertake micro-internships with the Heritage Partnerships Team and the Charterhouse in March 2023. This micro-internship was organised through the Careers Service Micro-Internship Programme.

This round of micro-internships centres on the Charterhouse, a former Carthusian monastery and living heritage site in London. Since the dissolution of the monasteries in the 16th century the site has served as a private mansion, a boys’ school and an almshouse, which it remains to this day.  Working alongside the Heritage Partnerships team and the Charterhouse, this micro-internship will provide insights into the heritage sector and public history initiatives through the lens of archival research into one of four thematic areas related to the history and life of the Charterhouse.

What you will do:

Working remotely as part of a small team, you will undertake desk-based research using a range of online archives and resources to support one of the four thematic strands designed to illuminate the history and heritage of the Charterhouse. The four strands for the micro-internships are:

• Research into the Brothers’ historic cloaks, which were phased out in the 1930s
• Exploring the significance of a Gainsborough painting of the Queens Walk, Charterhouse, which is now in the Foundling Museum
• Investigating the 10 livings of the Charterhouse (parishes where Charterhouse remains the Patron)
• Researching the mysterious squint. A squint (viewing window) exists in a tower, which used to face towards the main altar of the monastery. The room in which it is located, however, is the former Treasury. Why is it there, and what is its significance?

Working with primary and secondary sources to interrogate one of the above themes, you will submit your research findings as a written report which will be shared with the Oxford Heritage Partnerships Team and the senior team at the Charterhouse. Interns will have the opportunity to meet regularly with the supervisory team, Charterhouse staff, and fellow interns via Microsoft Teams video calls.

What you will gain:

By the end of the internship you will have gained experience of research for a public-facing organisation, an insight into how research informs heritage projects, and experience of using historical resources. You will also have the opportunity to compile a research report and discuss your findings at the end of the week with members of the Oxford partnership team and the Charterhouse staff.

Applicant Profile

Candidates will be considered from any Humanities subject area, from second-year undergraduate level and above. Candidates must demonstrate good written communication skills, experience of using archival research material, an ability to work both independently and as part of a team, and a keen interest in working in – or with – the heritage sector. This opportunity is being offered as a micro-internship and Crankstart internship (please contact the Internship Office for further details).

Find out more about the Charterhouse here. Find out more about Heritage Partnerships at Oxford here.

Further details & how to apply

Please note that this placement will take place in Week 10 (20th-24th March 2023 inclusive), with an in-person visit to the Charterhouse, including lunch with the Brothers, taking place on one day during the week. Students are required to commit to the full micro-internship - as with any professional placement - and any concerns about dates should be raised with the Internship Office in advance of making an application. Travel costs will be covered by the host.

Application closing date: 30th January 2023, midday

Apply via: https://oxford.targetconnect.net/leap/jobs.html?id=135499&service=Careers%20Service

Students are required to commit to the full micro-internship - as with any professional placement - and any concerns about dates should be raised with the Internship Office in advance of making an application. 

For more information and to apply, visit the Careers Service website.

Students are asked to provide:

Explore all arts and heritage micro-internship opportunities via the sector list.

Find out more about the National Trust Partnership here.

Found out more about the TORCH Heritage Programme here.