Chevening: Southeast Asian British Library Fellowship 2027–28

Overview

The Chevening British Library Southeast Asian Fellowship is co-funded by the British Library and the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. It is open to mid-career professionals from Cambodia, Laos, and Thailand with a strong interest in surveying, assessing, and researching rare printed works. Selected fellows will undertake a 12-month research project on the British Library's collection of early printed works in Cambodian, Lao, and Thai languages, covering c.1840–1950 (approximately 600–800 items), providing metadata-style information in original scripts and Romanisation to support catalogue creation.

Duration & Dates

• Start: September 2027
• End: September 2028
• Total duration: 12 months

Eligibility

• Citizen and resident of Cambodia, Laos, or Thailand
• Postgraduate level qualification or equivalent professional training/experience
• At least five years of professional and/or academic research experience
• Currently employed or enrolled as a PhD candidate (PhD must not be with a UK/EU or USA university)
• Excellent written and spoken knowledge of Thai, Lao, and Khmer, or excellent Thai with either Lao or Khmer
• Good written and spoken English with ability to communicate research findings effectively
• Interest in bibliographical description, cataloguing, and curatorial work
• Willingness to learn and apply digital tools, including AI-assisted approaches
• Experience communicating with non-specialist audiences (blogs, social media, public engagement)
• Interest in Southeast Asian printing history, book culture, and manuscript traditions

Fellow Responsibilities & Opportunities

• Review, identify, and research early printed works in Cambodian, Lao, and Thai languages and scripts
• Create metadata in original scripts and Romanisation to support catalogue creation
• Work with curators, conservation specialists, and digital specialists at the British Library