Archives and Manuscripts Collections Fellowship
Division/Department: Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library
Reports to: Kathleen Feeney, University Archivist
General Summary: Collections Fellow to enhance discovery of and access to archival and manuscript collections.
The Library Graduate Student Fellowships provide opportunities for graduate students to enhance their research skills, gain expertise in digital scholarship methods and tools, obtain experience in planning and delivering instructional sessions, and learn about academic careers in libraries and archives. In turn, the Library has the benefit of the students' subject expertise and knowledge of contemporary approaches to scholarship in their respective disciplines. Fellows work closely with a librarian or archivist mentor during the course of their experience, and have opportunities to interact with and learn from other library staff. Opportunities to present on their experience or share their work are offered to the Fellows. Applications from graduate students in the humanities are particularly encouraged.
Dr. Anima Guha (1932-2021) was an Indian writer, educator, scholar, and social activist. Dr. Guha studied and wrote broadly on women’s rights, healthcare, education, and development issues, with a particular focus on her home state of Assam. She published novels, essays, news articles, academic papers, translations, and travelogues.
The Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center holds digital and paper records documenting the life and career of Dr. Guha. During the current academic quarter the Fellow will support a project to enhance discovery of, and access to, these materials, with a primary focus on the description and evaluation of digitized documents.
Specific activities may include:
- Creation of descriptive records for digitized documents, based on information provided by the collection donor, and the documents themselves
- Evaluation of the copyright status of documents, with guidance from supervisors
- Development of a web exhibit, highlighting and providing contextual information for significant items from the collection
- Organization and further description of paper records
- Participation in meetings and activities relating to the project
Qualifications:
- Enrolled in a UChicago graduate program and in good academic standing during the period of the fellowship
- Basic proficiency in Assamese
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office tools
- Familiarity with use of original research materials
- Ability to prioritize archival tasks in accordance with established standards, processes, and criteria
- Strong written and oral communication skills
Hours and Schedule: Approximately 15 hours per week, 20 hours per week in Summer quarter. Reappointment for additional quarters is possible for the successful fellow depending on project needs.
Stipend: $3,300 per academic quarter (Autumn, Winter, Spring); $4,000 for Summer quarter.
Start Date: Autumn 2024
To Apply: Students currently enrolled in a UChicago graduate program and in good academic standing during the period of the fellowship are invited to submit a resume and cover letter highlighting their interest and relevant background experience to Kathleen Feeney, kefeeney@uchicago.edu to apply. Applications received by October 4, 2024 receive assured consideration.