Post-Doctoral Fellowship Program
Building More Stately Mansions
by Aaron Douglas
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT URBANA–CHAMPAIGN African American Studies CHANCELLOR’S POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWSHIP
Program
The Chancellor’s Postdoctoral Fellowship Program at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign assists scholars who study African Americans and transnational Black populations in the U.S. For African Americanists committed to university teaching and research, this fellowship program provides a stipend, close association with faculty at the university and assistance in furthering the fellow's development as a productive scholar. The University of Illinois Library holds nearly ten million volumes and ranks third among academic libraries in North America and first among public libraries in the world. The Library system contains hundreds of thousands of items relating to African Americans and Africans in the Diaspora including areas of the world such as the U.S., Canada, the Caribbean, Great Britain, France, Germany and the Pacific Islands. The Library has an African-American Bibliographic unit, which provides technical support for research.
Awards
One postdoctoral fellowship is available with the Department of African American Studies for 2010-2011. The call for applications is open and inclusive for scholars in the humanities and social sciences; the area of emphasis is open, but scholars in Africana theory, 19th century history, the political economy of Black America, and African American culture--film, literature, music--are especially encouraged to apply. Applicants are encouraged to identify an appropriate Department of African American Studies core faculty or zero-time scholar in their field with whom they would like to work. The fellowship appointment period is for one year from August 16, 2010 to August 15, 2011.
Eligibility
An applicant must demonstrate promise for a tenure‑track appointment at a research college or university. An applicant must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, and must have received a doctorate or appropriate terminal degree within the past four years, or have completed this requirement by June of the fellowship year. The candidate’s primary research focus must be African American, and/or transnational Black populations in the U.S.
Conditions
Recipients of these fellowships must be in residence full-time at the University of Illinois Urbana campus for the duration of the award period, and must participate in the Department’s activities. Fellows may not hold other fellowship awards at the same time they are receiving a postdoctoral fellowship on this campus. In addition to working on their research project, fellows are expected to teach a course for the department during the spring semester and give a brown bag lecture from which a working paper may be produced. Fellows are also expected to participate in the department’s reading group, colloquia and conferences. In pursuit of these goals, the fellows will receive the status of visiting scholars in African American Studies.
Stipend and Allowances
The stipend for the twelve-month period is $42,000. An additional $5,000 will be provided for research, relocation, travel, and related expenses. Full fringe benefits will be available during the 12-month appointment period.
Application
Candidates should request an application packet and submit a completed application, curriculum vita, a statement of the research project to be undertaken during the fellowship year, official graduate transcripts, a sample of scholarly writing, and three letters of recommendation (including one letter from the thesis/dissertation advisor). Please contact Shirley Olson at (217) 333-7781 or by email, sla@illinois.edu.
Evaluation and Selection
Applications are evaluated and selected by the Department of African American Studies faculty. Members representing the applicant's discipline may also review the scholarly records, letters of reference, and research proposals of the applicants. Decisions will be made by Friday, February 12, 2010.
Applications must be postmarked no later than January 15, 2010.
Submit application and supporting materials to: Shirley Olson, Department of African American Studies, 1201 W. Nevada, Urbana, IL 61801, (217) 333‑7781; e-mail: sla@illinois.edu.