The Birth of Veganism: Documenting the emergence and organisation of the vegan movement in Britain in the 20th century

Applications are invited for an Open-Oxford-Cambridge AHRC DTP-funded Collaborative Doctoral Award at The Open University, in partnership with The Vegan Society

This fully funded studentship is available from October 2025. Further details about the value of an Open-Oxford-Cambridge AHRC DTP award are available on the DTP’s studentships page. 

Closing date: 7th January 2025, midday UK time

Project overview

In the context of veganism rapidly gaining in prominence in public discourse, this collaborative project with The Vegan Society is focused on researching the history of the vegan movement in Britain. This encompasses how the vegan movement was established, organised and nurtured (including through the activities of The Vegan Society itself). It is anticipated that the research will provide insights into how the discourse of veganism has evolved to critique and respond to nonhuman animal exploitation and associated environmental and public health harms. These harms are argued to include the exacerbation of climate change, deforestation, degradation of land and water resources, and increased risk of zoonotic disease. In that context, this project may enhance the credibility of the vegan movement as a vital contributor to public debate around addressing these pressing and inter-related crises.

As well as drawing on existing research literature into the history of veganism, research questions will be formed in relation to a unique archive of historical documents, access to which will be provided by The Vegan Society and the supervisory team, as well as oral histories via interviews with long-standing vegans and descendants of vegan pioneers. Contact with interviewees will also be facilitated by The Vegan Society. The PhD may therefore utilise a mixed methods approach, such as combining documentary analysis with in-depth interviews, with a focus to be determined by a successful applicant’s knowledge and expertise. Although The Vegan Society will play a key gatekeeping role in providing access to sources of data, the Society and the project team are committed to providing a framework for fully independent and unbiased PhD research. As an educational charity, The Vegan Society has a reputation as making cautious, evidence-based and unbiased arguments.

The project can have considerable impact on the credibility and legitimacy of the vegan movement, on veganism as a vital field of academic research, and on The Vegan Society as an historically significant organisation in British history. More specifically, the project can impact on The Vegan Society’s educational mission such as via campaigns to raise awareness of the significance of the vegan movement.

Supervision

The candidate will be co-supervised between The Open University and The Vegan Society.  

Dr Matthew Cole and Professor Caroline Clarke will be the supervisors from The Open University and Dr Samantha Calvert will take the supervisory role on behalf of The Vegan Society.

The supervisory team collectively provide a wealth of experience in PhD supervision, the study of veganism and the methodological approach of the project. 

The candidate shall have access to all Open University doctoral training opportunities. In addition, The Vegan Society will provide a range of media training opportunities, such as in media communications and videography, as well as experience in working with the third sector and knowledge transfer.

How to apply 

In making an application you are applying to both the OOC DTP and to the OU. This means you will need to complete two application forms. Please read OU guidance and OOC guidance before completing the application forms

  • OOC DTP Application form – this includes a research proposal and a statement of suitability to undertake the proposed research project.
  • OU Application form  and the documents listed in the application check list.
  • You are reminded that you must sign the form and should give the names, addresses and institutional email addresses of two academic referees who are willing to comment on your academic achievements to date and on your potential for undertaking research. (Please check that your referees will be available to be contacted during the application period.)  

indicating your subject area in the subject of your application email

(e.g. SURNAME_Initial_Subject Area_OOC _DTP_CDA)

We recommend that you make contact/apply at the earliest stage so that we can work with you to maximise your potential for a successful application. Please note you are responsible for making sure that all required documents, including references, are submitted before midday 7th January 2025 and meet the University’s requirements. If your application is submitted late, and/or it is incomplete, it will not normally be assessed.