Thursday, 13 November 2025
Three outstanding doctoral scholars are beginning their studies at the University of Nottingham thanks to the generous support of the Wolfson Foundation. The PhD students have been awarded scholarships as part of the Foundation’s long-standing commitment to support research in the humanities, recognising its role in enriching many aspects of UK society and its cultural life.
Nottingham is one of only six UK universities currently awarded Wolfson Postgraduate Scholarships in the Humanities. These cover the disciplines of history, literature and languages and fund doctoral students with the greatest potential to make an impact on their chosen field and become academic leaders.
Nottingham’s 2025-6 intake of Wolfson Scholars are:
- Abigail Costello (Department of Classics and Archaeology), whose PhD research focuses on the roles of non-royal female citizens in ancient Sparta.
- Christopher Le (School of English), whose project explores evolving perceptions of ‘the addict’ in British literature and their connections to changing socio-political and legislative contexts.
- Julie Beuschel Mikkelsen (Department of History), whose work centres on the experiences of Russian Jewish refugees in Copenhagen from 1905-43.
Professor Jeremy Gregory, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for the Faculty of Arts, said: “This new award for Wolfson Postgraduate Scholarships in the Humanities continues the enduring and valuable relationship between the Foundation and the University of Nottingham, which for many decades has funded not only our research in the humanities but also supported advances in science, medicine and engineering, delivering lasting impacts on society.
“In recognition of our partnership and shared passion for innovation and advancing knowledge, the Foundation was inducted into the university’s College of Benefactors in 2007, which acknowledges the transformational contributions our most generous donors have made to the development of the institution.”
The Wolfson Foundation’s long-standing national funding programme for doctoral scholarships recognises the value of humanities research to society. Its scholarships offer outstanding researchers their PhD fees plus an allowance for maintenance, research, travel and training costs incurred during their studies. More than £28.5m has been committed through the programme to date, supporting more than 400 students at 12 universities across the UK.
Abigail, Christopher and Julie join Nottingham’s existing cohort of four Wolfson Scholars, who began their studies in October 2024. Their arrival follows the Wolfson Foundation’s confirmation that it will fund a further round of three new scholarships here at Nottingham for entry in the academic year 2026-7.
Professor Lynda Pratt, Associate Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research and Knowledge Exchange in the Faculty of Arts, said: “The Faculty of Arts is delighted to host both our new Wolfson Scholars and our returning 2024-5 cohort. The exciting and ground-breaking work conducted by our Wolfson awardees evidences the vitality and strength of humanities research, and its capacity to contribute to, inform and shape our wider society. By fostering a pipeline of outstanding new researchers in history, literature and languages, the Wolfson Foundation is providing crucial support for the future well-being of the humanities.”
“The Wolfson Foundation offers me and my fellow researchers incredible opportunities to study important topics in the humanities. In this unprecedented time for research, the scholarship’s promotion of equal and fair opportunities has never been more important."
"My research involves complex archival work related to eighteenth-century abolitionism in Britain and North America. Therefore, the opportunities afforded by the Wolfson Foundation to travel and research freely at the British Library and the National Archives in London, Nottingham Archives, the Schomburg Centre, the New York Public Library and the Boston Public Library are invaluable. Had it not been for the Foundation’s generous support, I would not be able to pursue either my research or a career in academia. The Foundation’s commitment to advancing humanities research will bring long-lasting benefits for me and so many other people.”
Paul Ramsbottom, chief executive of the Wolfson Foundation, said: “We are delighted to support a new cohort of Wolfson Scholars at the University of Nottingham, one of our six partner universities for the Wolfson Postgraduate Scholarships in the Humanities programme. The programme is intended to support outstanding students with their research, but also to make a statement: high-quality research in the humanities is of critical importance to society.”
Notes to editors:
About the University of Nottingham
Ranked 97 in the world and 17th in the UK by the QS World University Rankings, the University of Nottingham is a founding member of Russell Group of research-intensive universities. Studying at the University of Nottingham is a life-changing experience, and we pride ourselves on unlocking the potential of our students. We have a pioneering spirit, expressed in the vision of our founder Sir Jesse Boot, which has seen us lead the way in establishing campuses in China and Malaysia - part of a globally connected network of education, research and industrial engagement.
Nottingham was crowned Sports University of the Year by The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024 – the third time it has been given the honour since 2018 – and by the Daily Mail University Guide 2024.
The university is among the best universities in the UK for the strength of our research, positioned seventh for research power in the UK according to REF 2021. The birthplace of discoveries such as MRI and ibuprofen, our innovations transform lives and tackle global problems such as sustainable food supplies, ending modern slavery, developing greener transport, and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
The university is a major employer and industry partner - locally and globally - and our graduates are the third most targeted by the UK's top employers, according to The Graduate Market in 2024 report by High Fliers Research.
We lead the Universities for Nottingham initiative, in partnership with Nottingham Trent University, a pioneering collaboration between the city’s two world-class institutions to improve levels of prosperity, opportunity, sustainability, health and wellbeing for residents in the city and region we are proud to call home.
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