What is the difference between Fellowships and Writing Awards?
The Judith Binney Fellowship is for an established scholar to undertake or complete a significant project in New Zealand history or related fields. The level of remuneration is set to provide for full-time research and writing over a period of twelve months.
The Judith Binney Writing Award is for a shorter time and the remuneration level reflects that. It is intended to support the work of an emerging writer, the revision of a PhD for book publication, or the completion of a major project.
Fellowship projects would normally be of greater breadth, depth and potentially more significant in their contribution than the projects receiving an Award. On this basis, previous Selection Panels have offered an Award to applicants who applied for a Fellowship but either came second or third in a strong field, or presented a project considered more suited to an Award.
Previous Selection Panels have defined ‘established scholar’ as one who has already completed a book and is at mid-career level.
It is not intended that either the Fellowship or Award would be offered to scholars at the conclusion of their professional career – for example, people retiring from academic or other roles.
Is Māori history the only focus of the Fellowship?
Māori history is one key area of interest for the Fellowships and Awards, reflecting Judith Binney’s own research and writing but applications will be considered across a range of subject areas.
The Judith Binney Fellowships and Writing Awards are awarded to scholars working on any aspect of Aotearoa/New Zealand history (or an associated discipline) that supports the vision and kaupapa of the Judith Binney Trust.
Topics may include: social history; women’s history; Māori history and tradition; recent economic or political history; and historical interests arising from New Zealand archaeology, anthropology, and material culture.
Projects that connect to Judith Binney’s areas of interest or reflect her commitment to scholarly rigour alongside powerful new analyses will be welcome. Forward-looking ideas or approaches, topics of contemporary relevance and interest, and research in new or under-used archives or other sources, are encouraged.
The underlying expectations are that:
- the research to be undertaken will be of the highest quality;
- writers will have a proven record in research and writing relevant to their career stage that reflects the scholarly commitments evident in Judith Binney’s own words (see www.judithbinneytrust.org.nz); and
- the research undertaken will be published or otherwise made publicly available.
Do I have to be a New Zealander to apply?
Applicants must be either New Zealand citizens, or have resided continuously in New Zealand for at least two years immediately prior to application and hold a New Zealand resident visa.
Do I have to complete the project within the twelve months?
While some projects may be initiated and completed within one year, others may require longer. Both the Fellowship and the Award may be granted to start or complete a project. The timeframe of the project should be assessed realistically, and the ability of the applicant to achieve the goals set out in the proposal should be established in the application.
How are National Library and the Alexander Turnbull Library involved?
The Fellowships and Awards are hosted at the National Library, with provision of some desk space and research support provided by the Alexander Turnbull Library. It is anticipated that those holding Judith Binney Fellowships or Awards will present an in-house seminar on their research and offer a public talk at the National Library.
Fellowship or Award recipients are encouraged to deposit documentation related to their research with the Alexander Turnbull Library on completion of the project.
Recipients of the Fellowships and Awards are not, however, required to base their research at the National Library or in Wellington.