Global Dome Exchange: An Accelerated PhD Programme
This summer, following a competitive process, I was selected for the University of Notre Dame's Global Dome Exchange: Accelerated PhD Programme an intensive workshop designed to foster cross-disciplinary training, accelerate dissertation progress, and build international networks of young scholars. In partnership with Oxford, Edinburgh and Heidelberg universities, Notre Dame hosted seventeen doctoral students from the Humanities, over three weeks ; starting in Edinburgh, moving to London and finishing in Oxford. Guiding us through this process were Global Dome creators and directors Patrick Griffin, Madden-Hennebry Professor of History, and Elliott Visconsi, Associate Professor of English and chief academic digital officer, at Notre Dame. Upon learning about Global Dome, I was immediately attracted. The quality of the guest speakers; the vigorous nature of the seminars and workshops; the insight it afforded into American academic culture; and the opportunity for cross-pollination between students from different institutions meant I was extremely keen to participate in, what proved to be, the most intellectually stimulating DPhil training I have experienced. How Global Dome Works
In preparation, we were asked to submit a draft of a chapter from our respective theses for circulation. We were further asked to situate our works-in-progress within our fields, as well as within our larger projects. Then, each day of the program, one (occasionally two) of our papers were peer reviewed, challenged and defended. The aim being to force us outside of our disciplinary comfort zones, foster interdisciplinary discussions, and encourage us to envision our work in new and exciting ways. As researchers we are sometimes guilty of not being able to see the wood for the trees; Griffin and Visconsi were eager that we would think of our projects from a perspective of “altitude”. That is, we would stand above our projects, in order to more clearly articulate our fundamental questions, explain why our research matter to an audience of non-experts, and consider how we might organize our projects as whole in a compelling way. The daily schedule also allowed for guest faculty members, from the partner institutions, to present on their most recent research in much the same way as students also paying some attention to craft, argument, and research methodologies. Participants therefore benefitted from the process of giving and receiving feedback from other doctoral students as well as established academics and early career researchers working in U.K., European and U.S. markets.
International Networks
Demanding as the working days were, we were still able to enjoy some leisure time to explore the various cities we stayed in and bond as a group. As cliché as it sounds, I am content in the knowledge that through this experience I have cemented life-long relationships. The combination of seriousness and friendliness that Global Dome captured is unique and it is a credit to my cohort that our group dynamic was both conducive and productive. I am very grateful to have been a part of such a vibrant international academic community. Making this possible were our generous sponsors whom I wish to make mention, including but not limited to: Notre Dame International; London Global Gateway; Nanovic Institute for European Studies, University of Notre Dame; College of Arts and Letters, University of Notre Dame; Rothermere American Institute, University of Oxford; History Faculty, University of Oxford; University of Edinburgh; and Heidelberg University. 
Michaela Moriarty is a DPhil Candidate in History and recipient of the prestigious Oxford Life-Writing and AHRC Award. More recently, Michaela was elected to the Royal Historical Society and was an awardee of the Arnold, Bryce and Read Fund. She is an alumnus of the Institute of Irish Studies, University of Liverpool, and Washington Ireland Program for Service and Leadership.