Research Opportunities

The Manhyia Palace Museum in Ghana is seeking an undergraduate researcher through the University of Warwick's Undergraduate Research Support Scheme (URSS) to support a pilot digital heritage and collections management project focused on artefacts housed in the Old Museum storerooms.

The student will work closely with Museum staff to document selected artefacts, create and enhance digital records, undertake photographic documentation, review metadata standards, and contribute to the development of a reusable workflow for future collections digitisation.

The project will provide practical experience in museum documentation, digital heritage, collections management, and research, while producing tangible outputs that support the Museum's long-term digital transformation and collections stewardship objectives. It also offers a unique opportunity to contribute to the preservation, documentation, and accessibility of Ghana's rich cultural heritage through digital technologies.

The project is intended as a pilot initiative that may inform future collections digitisation, digital heritage, and research activities at the Museum.

Interested students will initially contact the Warwick team, who will subsequently liaise with the Manhyia Palace Museum Research Team.

Warwick Contacts:

Dr Godwin Yeboah
Principal Research Software Engineer (Associate Professor)
Warwick Research Computing, University of Warwick
Email:

Dr Robert O'Toole
Associate Professor (Teaching Focussed) and Director of Digital Arts and Humanities Lab
Faculty of Arts, University of Warwick
Email:

Coventry Music Museum is a thriving community-created museum, rated as the number one place to visit in Coventry. It includes some impressive immersive designs, created by volunteers who are skilled in design and manufacturing. As such, it represents Coventry's talent and history to the world, getting visitors from across the UK and abroad.

THE COVENTRY MUSIC MUSEUM – The Sound Place to See

We are seeking undergraduate researchers to undertake projects to enhance the collection with digital technology, including the creation of 3D scans of rare artefacts, so as to ensure their preservation and to increase their availability to the public. Create engaging virtual reality experiences from these scans, to be used to reach wider audiences across the city.

We can provide all of the necessary equipment and training to make this happen. No technical experience is necessary. In addition, we are interested in learning about how the museum works with its community, and how this can be enhanced through the involvement of Warwick University. The project may include some research into the social organisation and history of the museum.

Supervisor: Robert O’Toole

Working on the Mapping Women’s Suffrage project is an opportunity to identify, research, and map the lives and materials of ordinary women and men that fought for women’s right to vote in villages, towns and cities across the country. It offers a diverse range of ways for you to share your work with the public whether through the online map, blogs/vlogs, social media, local walks, or talks and presentations. It can also help spark conversations about women and girls in politics today.

For more information see the website or email Tara Morton.

This project would document and analyse the Jewish graves at London Road Cemetery in Coventry, creating a systematic record of gravestones, inscriptions, photographs and relevant historical documents.

The research would explore what these records can reveal about Coventry’s Jewish community over time, including patterns of migration, family, occupation and community life.

The project would contribute to the preservation and accessibility of local Jewish heritage while providing a valuable resource for future historical and genealogical research.

For more information contact David Lees.

This project would investigate the factors that influence whether individuals identify, or choose not to identify, as Jewish.

It would explore the different roles played by cultural and religious connections, family and community, personal experiences, and contemporary factors such as rising antisemitism.

Through engagement with members of the Jewish community in Warwickshire and the wider Midlands, the research would seek to develop a better understanding of Jewish identity and belonging today. The findings could help inform more effective planning and provision of services and activities for the Jewish community across the region.

For more information contact David Lees.

ISSER is a leading centre for policy-relevant research. Its work is interdisciplinary and designed to inform national and regional development strategies. See ISSER websiteLink opens in a new window.

Further information: ISSER’s research spans 14 major themes, addressing key development challenges in Ghana and across Africa.

Core Research Themes:

• Agriculture and Economic Transformation: Exploring how agricultural innovation drives broader economic growth.
• Digitalization and Development: Investigating the role of digital technologies in shaping inclusive development.
• COVID-19 Recovery and Resilience: Assessing post-pandemic recovery strategies across sectors.
• Climate Change and Green Development: Researching sustainable practices and climate adaptation policies.
• Development Financing: Analysing funding mechanisms for national development.
• Social Mobilisation and Social Protection: Studying community engagement and welfare systems.
• Political Economy and Governance: Evaluating institutional frameworks and policy effectiveness.
• Human Capital Development and Socio-Economic Transformation: Focusing on education, skills, and labour market dynamics.
• Energy and the Extractives Sector: Examining energy policy and resource management.
• Gender and Development: Addressing gender equity and empowerment.
• Health and Development: Linking public health outcomes to socio-economic progress.
• Globalization and Trade: Understanding Ghana’s position in global markets.
• Policy Making (Focus on Ghana): Supporting evidence-based policymaking tailored to local contexts.
• Urbanization and National Development: Investigating the impact of urban growth on national planning.

Contact:

Are you curious about ancient life and Earth’s history? This is your chance to explore the fascinating world of palaeontology—an area not currently taught at our university.

Work alongside Dr Daniel Cashmore, whose research examines how geological and anthropogenic biases impact our understanding of animal evolution. Projects are typically desk-based, involving significant data collection and quantitative analysis. The specific focus of your project will be developed in discussion with Dr Cashmore, allowing you to tailor it to your interests.

This is a unique opportunity to learn about prehistoric life while gaining valuable research experience and transferable skills!

If you are interested, please contact Daniel ( ) to discuss potential URSS project applications