Universitas 21 PhD Scholarship report

Name Aimee Fox-Godden

Title of thesis ‘Putting knowledge in power’: Inter-theatre learning and knowledge sharing in the British army of the First World War

Department History

Institution visited University of New South Wales,

Dates of visit Saturday 15 February – Sunday 9 March 2014

For my Universitas21 scholarship, I was hosted by the Australian Centre for the Study of Armed Conflict and Society [ACSACS] at the University of New South Wales, Canberra. ACSACS is at the forefront of research in the fields of military history, innovation, and ethics in . Its close links with the Defence department, including the Australian Defence Force Academy and the Australian military more widely, ensures that the research produced at ACSACS has relevance to current and future conflicts. I was able to draw on this expertise throughout my stay, enabling me to build links with leading academics, such as Professor Jeffrey Grey, Dr John Connor and Dr . During my time in Canberra, I conducted archival research at the Australian War Memorial and the National Library of Australia. The proximity of ACSACS to these key That’s me! Not looking too jetlagged at all! institutions was a considerable bonus. The research I conducted at these two repositories will strengthen my thesis, giving it a comparative element through its examination of how Australian and British forces learned during the First World War. I was also fortunate enough to give two seminar papers – one at the Australian War Memorial on my PhD research, and the second as part of a half-day colloquium at ACSACS, entitled Great War 100: Reflections on the Centenary of the Great War beyond Australia. The latter enabled me to showcase my historiographical knowledge of the British army in the First World War and the debates emerging in current scholarship on the advent of the Centenary.

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One of the main reasons that I chose the University of New South Wales as a partner organisation was due to its expertise in the field of conflict studies. Its partnership with the Australian Defence Force and other governmental institutions was important from a networking point of view. Throughout my stay, I had access to a number of notable individuals from the Australian War Memorial, the National Library of Australia, and the History Unit who were more than willing to talk through aspects of my research and offer tips. In this respect, the visit met the reasons stated in my application. However, one area that it did fall short on was access to individuals working on ACSACS’ First World War Centenary project: a five volume history of Australia’s involvement in the First World War. This was due to the fact that Australian War Memorial with HMAS Brisbane in foreground researchers were working on this project across the country and not just in Canberra. However, Professor Jeffrey Grey was more than happy to broker an introduction in the future if desired.

Not only did the Universitas21 scholarship give me the ability to access key archival material required for my PhD thesis, it also provided me with the opportunity to deliver seminar papers to specialist and non- specialist audiences, as well as enabling me to build links with academics in my field. This was something that I was desirous of in my application and I feel that these desires have been realised. Indeed, these aspects were highlighted as an essential part of my professional training as an historian. I have also built up a network of academics and specialists who are willing to provide advice and guidance on a personal level. I was able to advise these individuals on the vital research carried out by the Centre for War Studies at the University of Birmingham too. This not only raises the research profile of the University, but it also opens up potential avenues for international collaboration in the future.

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As mentioned above, I gained a number of benefits regarding my future employability. I was able to research in key Australian archival repositories, consulting official documents and personal letters and correspondence, which will give my research an edge over some of the more Anglocentric studies in the field. It also enhanced my knowledge and understanding of the Australian experience of the First World War. Again, this was given additional impetus through conversations with historians such as Dr Peter Pedersen [AWM] and Dr Roger Lee [Australian Army History Unit]. The opportunity to deliver two well- received papers to two very Part of original memorial to the Desert Mounted Corps. The original memorial stood at Port Said, but was destroyed during Suez Crisis, 1956 different audiences enhanced my confidence when speaking publicly.

I would very much like to continue collaboration with ACSACS, University of New South Wales along with some of the other organisations that I forged links with, such as the Australian War Memorial. This could be through international working groups, or through the organisation of joint seminars. There was much desire – View from Australian War Memorial down to Parliament: a constant reminder to politicians of the cost of war

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I would highly recommend any PhD candidates interested in the study of military history, innovation and ethics of past, current and future conflicts to consider applying for a Universitas21 scholarship to ACSACS, University of New South Wales. The institution’s proximity to the key archival repositories in Australia is incredibly useful, along with access to the Australian Defence Force Academy’s library services. Canberra contains other academic and governmental institutions that are producing cutting edge research in conflict studies, such as the Strategic and Defence Studies Centre at Australian National University, the Military History Section at the Australian War Memorial, building at Enlighten Canberra festival and the Australian Army History Unit. There is a collegiate spirit between these different organisations, which I found incredibly useful during my stay. In fact, the only thing that I would have changed about my visit was to have stayed there for longer. I built up some great relationships with fellow students and academics, but only wish I could have had a few extra weeks to delve even deeper into the archives and disseminate my research to a wider audience.

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