Applied Humanities Summer Fellows – Application Instructions

Deadline: Monday, March 11, 2024 11:59pm

OVERVIEW

The Hall Center's Applied Humanities Summer Fellows program supports PhD or MA students who would like to explore ways they can apply the research skills they have acquired as graduate students to projects that collaborate with community organizations and/or career paths other than academic research or teaching. 

The Hall Center is partnering with local non-profit organizations, a range of units at KU, and non-humanities organizations and units that would value input from a humanities scholar to appoint Applied Humanities Summer Fellows. Fellows will work either with a community organization on a project that incorporates humanities-oriented research skills, or with a unit at KU on a project that will give them experience in programming development, grant development, or other university administrative activities. 

Fellows will receive $3,000 for 200 hours of work, generally 20 hours a week for 10 weeks (mid-May through July). The fellow and the agency or unit will determine specific schedules on a case-by-case basis. Travel expenses may be added to the stipend, based on the fellow's home location and the internship location.

Black Archives of Mid-America

The Black Archives of Mid-America (Kansas City) seeks an Applied Humanities Summer Fellow to work with the Archivist and other staff, acquiring a range of skills relevant to archival and museum work. The fellow will learn the standard system for filing and recording documents and artifacts in an archives repository. Practical duties include:

  1. Maintain and understand the PastPerfect Temporary Custody paperwork for newly-arrived donations. Process new artifacts and store them in a prescribed place.
  2. Schedule research visits; assure that researchers have signed the appropriate paperwork for accessing archival materials; retrieve materials for researchers use.
  3. Observe and assist patrons using reading room to protect our collections from loss or damage. Copy any materials requested by researchers.
  4. Scan materials into our database. Record appropriately the accession of 3-D artifacts.
  5. Scan newly acquired photos for attachment to accession forms, or items determined to be too vulnerable to be placed in Vertical Files.
  6. Set up new biographical files.
  7. Organize and maintain ephemera collections such as yearbooks, family histories, business records, government records, posters, prints, etc.
  8. After verifying accuracy, file catalog records, deeds of gift, etc. in the appropriate folders.
  9. Work with art curator to create exhibitions.

The fellow must be willing to work on-site. Our building is secure, is regularly sanitized, masks are required, and social distancing is practiced.

(NEW) Hall Center for the Humanities

Intern will become familiar with a range of different Hall Center projects and work with staff on sustaining, programming and planning these activities. Duties may include:

  • Researching, writing, and proofreading items and assisting with the layout of the Summer/Fall Humanities For All publication;
  • Updating and proofreading materials in the Hall Center Competitions Portal; insuring alignment between application instructions and new rubrics developed for the review process, and testing portal functionality;
  • Planning and scheduling the next "Wheat State" Tour trip for faculty and staff, which introduces participants to little known history, cultures, and communities in the state of Kansas;
  • Developing strategies for increased undergraduate engagement at the Hall Center, including reviewing and promoting the application process for the Undergraduate Fellows Program and Undergraduate Research Awards.

Humanities Kansas - Digital Archives Assistant

Humanities Kansas (112 SW 6th Ave, Suite 400, Topeka KS 66603):  This position offers a motivated student the opportunity to work as a Digital Assistant in statewide public humanities work. Primary responsibilities include project planning, photograph and document scanning, and organizing and cataloging digital assets. The selected candidate must possess strong organizational, communications, and time-management skills. Additional duties may also be assigned. HK's office is in downtown Topeka and the archives assistant will work in the office. Parking is paid by HK. www.humanitieskansas.org

KU Center for Sexuality & Gender Diversity

This document provides a basic understanding of the role. Additional expectations and guidance will be provided during the onboarding process. 

Position Overview 

The Center for Sexuality and Gender Diversity (SGD) is looking for an exceptional individual to assist with summer initiatives and projects. The Summer Fellow supports SGD's efforts to enact the four pillars of: Advocacy, Connection, Education, and Wellness. Further, this position provides an opportunity for experience with research, program development, education initiatives, student orientation, and much more. The successful candidate uses an intersectional approach, applies critical thinking skills, demonstrates strong organization and communication skills, and pays close attention to details in their work. 

Job Description: 

  • Assist in the development and/or revision of educational materials and opportunities - 30%
    • Research and develop grab and go educational presentations and activities 
    • Revise Safe Zone facilitator guides 
    • Put together Safe Zone binders and activity materials 
    • Facilitate educational programs and trainings as appropriate 
    • Review and propose edits for printed resources, such as brochures and flyers 
  • Program development - 20% 
    • Assist in the development of the upcoming academic year program calendar 
    • Create social media posts for various programming initiatives, with an emphasis on Hawk Week events and reoccurring programs 
    • Develop a social media timeline/calendar for Fall 2024 posts 
    • Support summer programs and activities as applicable 
  • Support Summer Orientation and recruitment opportunities - 20% 
    • Table at Summer Orientation Opportunities Fair 
    • Give tours and overview of The Center to visiting guests 
    • Answer questions about The Center and resources/opportunities we provide 
  • Lawrence Gay Liberation Front (LGLF) Library management - 15% 
    • Take inventory of the LGLF Library materials and reach out to those with overdue materials as applicable 
    • Reorganize library catalogue and label respective sections 
    • Research and propose new book selections (all genres) for both the LGLF Library and upcoming book giveaway opportunities for the academic year 
  • Special projects and assignments - 15% 
    • Engage with SGD staff to discuss potential special projects and assignments (this can be a special interest and/or area Fellow wants to learn more about) 

Preferred Qualifications: 

  1. Experience serving the Queer and Trans community 
  2. Experience serving the BIPOC community 
  3. Comfortable and well experienced with utilizing various social media platforms 
  4. Exceptional organization, problem-solving, and written and oral communication skills 
Lawrence Arts Center - Digital History Intern

Using information from the archive and interviews, the Digital History Intern will work with the Chief Communications Officer, the Development Team, and the CEO to research, catalog, and digitize historical materials in order to produce the 50-year history of the Arts Center as a digital narrative. Archival materials include photographs, newspaper & magazine articles, city proclamations, and programs from shows and exhibitions. Interviews will include the founding director, sole surviving founding city commissioner, current and former board members, previous directors, staff, and community partners. Flexible hours.

Watkins Museum of History

Part-time temporary position, non-exempt, 10-20 hours/week, 10 weeks or until 200 hours

Reports to: Director of Engagement and Learning

The Hall Center Applied Humanities Summer Fellow will assist the Watkins Museum of History with research and writing for our upcoming permanent exhibit, Indigenous Lawrence: Nations, Peoples, and Place. About three quarters of the work could be performed remotely.

Responsibilities

  • Become familiar with current practices in Indigenous and Native American collaborations and methodologies.
  • Research local Indigenous cultures and history in books, articles, websites, and other sources, using materials already compiled by Watkins staff and locating others.
  • Possibly assist in interviews with tribal representatives and scholars.
  • Write drafts of exhibit text, including panels, labels, and computer interactives.
  • Attend scheduled meetings with members of the exhibit design team and expert advisors group.

Other Skills/Qualifications

  • Experience in research and oral and written communication
  • Skills in collaboration and organization
  • Ability to work independently
  • Ability to work remotely if needed
  • Familiarity with common computer programs
  • Interest in Indigenous and Native American history, cultures, and issues
  • Experience or interest in museum work a plus

DEADLINE: Monday, March 11, 2024 at 11:59PM

ELIGIBILITY

Eligible applicants will:

1. Be currently enrolled KU graduate students in any humanities, arts, or social science discipline who have successfully completed at least one semester of full-time coursework toward an MA or PhD degree;

2. Demonstrate a high level of motivation, including the ability to work independently and establish and achieve goals; and

3. Have the ability to do humanities research and to write cogently and with economy.

REQUIREMENTS

Applied Humanities Summer Fellows are required to:

1. Fulfill the terms of their agreement with the community partner.

2. Submit a brief report to the Hall Center detailing the work they completed and explaining how this experience will further their research and/or career aspirations in the humanities.  The report is due within 30 days of completion of the fellowship work.

APPLICATION PROCESS

All application materials must be submitted through the Hall Center Competitions Portal.  Paper submissions will not be accepted.  For an application to be verified as complete, and thus forwarded for committee review, applicants must:

1. Create an account or log in to an existing account.

2. Select the Apply Now button next to this competition. 

3. Complete the Applicant Information form in the Portal.

NOTE: The demographic questions in the application form are optional. We would appreciate your responses as they allow us to chart demographic data and better comprehend the communities we reach and serve through this competition and award program. This information will not be used for determining awards. 

4. Upload a ranked list of your top three fellowship opportunities as a PDF file.

5. Upload a one-page Cover Letter explaining your interest in the applied summer fellowships program and your ability to work in a non-academic environment. Please do not list specific fellowship organizations in your cover letter.

6. Upload a Curriculum Vitae as a PDF file.

No extraneous materials will be considered.

REVIEW PROCESS

Community partners review applications and select candidates for interview, in consultation with the Hall Center Director.  

CRITERIA

The criteria for selection is determined by each community partner and is dependent upon the particular work required during the internship period.

QUESTIONS

Applicants should direct questions about the Applied Humanities Summer Fellows Competition to Hall Center Assistant Director Andrew Hodgson (ahodgson@ku.edu).