Government House is delighted to announce Ms Chynna Trott as the successful candidate of the Chevening British Library’s Overseas Territories Fellowship. The one year fellowship will commence in January 2027 with the aim of helping redefine how the British Library collects, preserves and represents the Caribbean and
Atlantic Overseas Territories in its collections. Ms Trott’s selection followed a competitive application process which was open to applicants from Anguilla, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Falkland Islands, Montserrat, St Helena and the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Co-funded by the British Library and the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, the Fellowship will be structured around three key tasks:
- To provide an overview of the current and cultural landscape of British Overseas Territories, with a view to informing future British Library policies and practices.
- Building on existing bibliographies and resources, to discover and promote heritage materials in the British Library’s collection relating to one or more British Overseas Territory
- To survey historic and current collecting practices relating to one or more British Overseas Territory
Philip Abraham, Eccles Institute Programmes Lead Curator at the British Library, said: ‘The British Library is delighted to announce Chynna Trott as the 2027 Chevening British Library Fellow for the British Overseas Territories. The Fellowship champions the Library’s belief that by making knowledge freely accessible, we can create a global network of shared history, research and innovation. We look forward to seeing Chynna’s development and work preserving Bermuda’s heritage through this powerful exchange of ideas between the United Kingdom and wider Overseas Territories community.’
Ms Chynna Trott said “Being selected as the 2027 Chevening British Library Fellow for the British Overseas Territories is an incredible honour and an exciting milestone in my professional journey. As someone passionate about Bermuda’s history and cultural heritage, I am especially grateful for the opportunity to further develop my skills in librarianship, research and heritage preservation while representing Bermuda on an international stage.
Through this fellowship, I hope to explore how Bermuda’s history is represented within the British Library’s collections, particularly the stories and experiences that have often been overlooked. Most importantly, I look forward to bringing the knowledge, experience and professional connections I gain back to Bermuda to
support greater access to, engagement with and preservation of our local history.
My goal has always been to help ensure that Bermuda’s stories remain accessible and meaningful to future generations, and I see this fellowship as an important step towards that goal.”
The British Library is one of the world’s most important centres of knowledge and cultural heritage. As the national library of the United Kingdom, it houses an extraordinary collection of over 170 million books, manuscripts, maps, newspapers, sound recordings and archives from across the globe, preserving over two millennia of human history and creativity. For researchers and fellows, the Library offers unparalleled access to world-class collections, leading experts and cutting-edge research resources, creating a unique environment for discovery and innovation.
Beyond its role as a repository of knowledge, the British Library is a vibrant international institution that fosters collaboration, learning and cultural exchange, making it an exceptional place to develop new ideas, build professional networks and contribute to global research and understanding.
Governor Andrew Murdoch CMG, CVO said ‘This is a significant personal achievement and a reflection of the talent and potential we have here in Bermuda.
The Fellowship offers a unique opportunity to work with world-leading collections, expertise and networks, developing knowledge and relationships that will benefit not only Chynna, but Bermuda and the wider Overseas Territories community. By helping to preserve, explore and share our history and heritage, opportunities such as this ensure that the voices and experiences of our communities continue to be recognised and understood. I wish Chynna every success and look forward to seeing her share the benefits of this experience upon her return.’
