CLCS Awards in the Public Humanities: Research & Engagement (2022-2023)
Building on the outward-facing scholarly, creative, and pedagogical work of the Antiracism series in 2020-2021 and 2021-2022, the Department of English’s Center for Literary and Comparative Studies is piloting a new program, the CLCS Awards in the Public Humanities: Research and Engagement.
The CLCS Awards in the Public Humanities offer funding and support for UMD Department of English and Comparative Literature graduate students (preference will be given to English and Comparative Literature PhD students, though MFA and MA students are welcome to apply) and UMD Department of English PTK faculty to develop public humanities projects, with priority given to work in support of the principles and practices of CAARES, the Department of English’s Committee for Antiracism, Accessibility, Respect, Equity, and Social Justice.
In addition to support from the Bebe Koch Petrou Fund, this program is sponsored by the Center for Literary & Comparative Studies in the Department of English, the University of Maryland Libraries, the University of Maryland Graduate School's Office of Diversity and Inclusion, and the University of Maryland Division of Research.
2022-2023 Cohort
The following six projects are part of the inaugural cohort.
Dr. Anthony Batts II, Lecturer
Project: A study on the experiences of African-American Male Educators and their use of culturally responsive teaching in urban schools
Fernando Duran, Ph.D. Candidate
Project: Central American Literature: Environment, Archive, and Access
Erin Green, Ph.D. Candidate
Project: Community Justice: Writing and Organizing for the Public
Nat McGartland, Ph.D. Candidate & Shannon Neal, M.A. Candidate
Project: Hyattsville Teens + Book Arts
Dr. Michelle Moncrieffe, Lecturer
Project: The NAME Project: The Narratives and Medical Education Project
Fatima Seck, Ph.D. Candidate
Project: Community Now
Criteria
These projects will develop experimental modes of engaged scholarship and pedagogy, offer humanistic approaches to social and cultural concerns, and model more just and radical forms of scholarly imagination.
All proposed projects must be public-facing in some way: intended for public audiences, engaging members of the public as collaborators, or partnering with community groups. Projects of any format or type will be considered.
During the funding period, CLCS Awardees attend bi-weekly workshops with the Faculty Director of CLCS, Professor Tita Chico, to develop and implement their projects. CLCS Awardees will also organize a presentation about their project in the end-of-year symposium, the Bebe Koch Petrou Symposium in the Public Humanities: Research and Engagement.
CLCS will provide awards of $2,500 (two payments of $1,250 issued on January 1 and May 1, 2023) to six CLCS Awards in the Public Humanities. Awardees will also be eligible for up to $500 for approved expenses related to their projects, to be used by May 1, 2023. Expenses might include book purchases, speaker honoraria, workshop materials, or printing; funds may not be used to support travel or research. If you have questions or want help developing this component, please contact Karen Nelson (knelson@umd.edu).
Selection
Applications for the CLCS Awards in the Public Humanities: Research and Engagement will be evaluated by a review panel that includes members of the CLCS Steering Committee and the directors of CLCS. Applicants will be selected based on the quality, creativity, and potential of their proposed projects. Priority will be given to proposed projects that support the principles and practices of CAARES, the Department of English’s Committee for Antiracism, Accessibility, Respect, Equity, and Social Justice.
Application
(available here; due 3 October 2022) consists of:
- Project Title and Abstract. No more than 100 words.
- Project Description. A narrative of the project’s history, objectives, and methods, including plans for engaging extra-mural communities. 500 word limit.
- Potential Partners. List of potential project collaborators and organizational partners, with brief description of role or relationship to the project, as applicable. 250 word limit.
- Project Timeline. Key dates and milestones for project outcomes, in narrative or outline form. 250 word limit
- Project Budget. A coherent plan for the proposed use of expense funds (up to $500), itemized where feasible. Examples might include book purchases, speaker honoraria, or workshop materials. [Funds may not be used to support travel or research]
- CV of CLCS Award applicant
Terms
- Awardees attend fortnightly workshops throughout the academic year aimed at providing them with methodological skills, professional connections, and feedback for the development of their civically-engaged, public-facing projects.
- Under the guidance of the CLCS Faculty Director, Awardees develop their projects and work with academic and community-based partners to implement them.
- Awardees take part in guiding public humanities programming at CLCS, applying their own skill sets and networks toward ongoing events and initiatives, and presenting their projects in the end-of-year symposium, The Bebe Koch Petrou Symposium in the Public Humanities: Research and Engagement.
Submit your application here by 3 October 2022.
Eligibility
- UMD Department of English PTK faculty
- UMD Department of English and Comparative Literature graduate students (MFA and MA students are welcome to apply, though preference will be given to English and Comparative Literature PhD students)
Award
- $2500 (two payments of $1,250 issued on January 1 and May 1, 2023)
- Approved Expenses (limited to approved items): up to $500, to be used by May 1, 2023
Deadline
3 October 2022
Notification
17 October 2022
Information sessions (informal)
- In-person: Wednesday, 31 August 11 am – 12 pm (TWS 1123)
- Virtual: Thursday, 1 September 4 pm – 5 pm (register)
Questions?
- About the proposals and award? Email Prof. Tita Chico (tchico@umd.edu)
- About acceptable expenses for the $500 budget? Email Dr. Karen Nelson (knelson@umd.edu)
Center for Literary & Comparative Studies
Karen Nelson
Director, Center for Literary and Comparative Studies, English
Classics
2120B Tawes Hall
College Park
MD,
20742