University of Warwick Opens Fully Funded Wheeler PhD Scholarships in History of Travel Writing (2026 Entry)

The University of Warwick has opened applications for the Wheeler History of Travel Writing PhD Scholarship for the 2026–27 academic year. Backed by Tony Wheeler, co-founder of Lonely Planet and Warwick alumnus, this fully funded programme invites researchers to explore how travel writing has shaped global history, culture, and knowledge.

The scholarship is hosted by Warwick’s Global History and Culture Centre (GHCC) and offers one of the most generous funding packages available in the humanities.

About the Wheeler History of Travel Writing Programme

The Wheeler History of Travel Writing Programme was established through a philanthropic donation by Tony Wheeler, widely known as the “patron saint of backpackers” and a transformative figure in modern travel culture.

Tony Wheeler began his career as a student journalist at Warwick before graduating in Engineering Science in 1969. His overland journey across Asia in the early 1970s inspired the first Lonely Planet guidebook, launching a global movement in independent travel publishing. Since then, he has remained deeply involved in education, literature, and cultural initiatives across Asia, Africa, and Australia.

Over the period 2023–2028, the programme will fund four fully funded PhD studentships, alongside additional support for undergraduate fieldwork, conferences, and research travel.

About the Global History and Culture Centre (GHCC)

Based within Warwick’s Department of History, the Global History and Culture Centre is a leading hub for global historical research. Its scholars work across Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Americas, focusing on connections between regions rather than isolated national narratives.

The Centre hosts international research projects, visiting fellows, conferences, and interdisciplinary collaborations, making it a strong intellectual home for doctoral researchers working on global and transnational themes.

Wheeler History of Travel Writing PhD Scholarship: Key Details

• Degree: History MPhil/PhD

• Entry: Autumn 2026

• Duration: 3.5 years

• Location: University of Warwick, UK

• Centre: Global History and Culture Centre (GHCC)

The programme welcomes projects focused on any historical period or region, provided travel and travel writing are central to the research.

Potential Research Themes

Applicants may approach the history of travel writing from a wide range of perspectives, including:

• Travel advice literature, from merchant manuals to modern guidebooks

• Gender, race, and intersectionality in travel histories

• Travel writing from the Global South

• Vicarious travel, armchair geography, and virtual travel

• Travel, empire, and global inequalities

• Environmental history, sustainability, and mobility

Interdisciplinary projects and co-supervision across departments such as English, Modern Languages, Politics, or International Studies are encouraged.

Funding and Financial Support

Successful candidates will receive a fully funded PhD package, which includes:

• Full tuition fees (UK or Overseas rate)

• Maintenance stipend at the prevailing UKRI rate for 3.5 years

• Research, Training & Support Grant (RTSG): Up to £3,000 per year

• Conference & Public Engagement Fund: One-off £1,500 payment

All awards follow the University of Warwick Doctoral College Funded PGR Policy.

Who Can Apply? (Eligibility)

• Open to candidates of any nationality

• Minimum 2:1 undergraduate degree

• Master’s degree in History or a closely related field (completed or in progress)

• Applicants from non-History backgrounds may apply if they clearly demonstrate readiness for a History PhD

• Ability to work with sources in more than one language is an advantage

Applicants must identify and contact a potential supervisor before submitting their application.

Application Requirements

Applicants must submit:

• A 2,000-word research proposal on the history of travel or travel writing

• A 300-word public engagement statement explaining how the research will reach wider audiences

• Two academic references

• Academic transcripts and degree certificates

• Evidence of English language proficiency (if applicable)

In the funding section, applicants must list:
“Wheeler History of Travel Writing Scholarship”

Important Dates

• Course Application Deadline: 15 January 2026 (12:00 noon GMT)

• Supporting Documents Deadline: 29 January 2026 (12:00 noon GMT)

• Interviews: Week commencing 23 February 2026

Contact for Enquiries

• Dr Tom Simpson, Director, GHCC

• Professor Beat Kümin, Postgraduate Research Director

[VISIT OFFICIAL WEBSITE TO APPLY]