History of Science/Creative Non-Fiction Writing and Research Fellow
Title: History of Science/Creative Non-Fiction Writing and Research Fellow
Division/Department: Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library
Reports to: Patti Gibbons, Head of Collection Management, Special Collections and Henry J. Frisch, Professor, Department of Physics
General Summary:
For Autum Quarter of 2024, the Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center and University of Chicago Physics Professor Henry J. Frisch are developing a web exhibition that showcases the varied and influential books written by UChicago faculty members in the Physics Department. Spanning back to the early days of the University to today, the virtual exhibit will profile faculty authors who have shaped the field and, sometimes, changed the world. From memoirs to textbooks, this project will identify important books written by UChicago physicists and take an opportunity to use scanned materials from the Special Collections archives to further tell the life stories of these important faculty members.
The History of Science/Creative Non-Fiction Writing and Research Fellow will play the lead role in researching content and writing text for the web exhibition. The Fellow will work closely with Professor Frisch to identify faculty members to include in the web exhibition. The Fellow will then begin a research phase in Special Collections, identifying materials related to each scientist and selecting materials to scan and include in the web exhibit. The Fellow will be responsible for writing the exhibition’s text, with the aim of bringing out interesting information and stories to demonstrate the scientists’ personalities as well as their achievements.
The Fellow will hone and develop creative non-fiction writing skills, while gaining familiarity with careers in the educational and cultural heritage fields that participate in virtual exhibition development.
The initial appointment is for a single academic quarter (Autumn 2024). Reappointment for additional quarters is possible for the successful Fellow depending on project needs.
Fellowship activities may vary during the project, but specific tasks will include:
- Creating a list of UChicago Physics faculty authors to include in the web exhibit
- Researching faculty authors and summarizing their biographies, professional contributions, and their everyday lives outside of science
- Identifying interesting materials related to the scientists in the university’s archive for inclusion in the web exhibition
- Potentially, identifying audio-visual exhibition materials accompany the exhibition
- Participate in the web exhibition design process develop the exhibit’s overall aesthetic
- Identifying ways to promote the finished exhibition to reach a wide and non-specialized audience
Qualifications:
- Enrolled in a UChicago graduate program and in good academic standing during the period of the fellowship
- Strong written and oral communication skills
- Some experience with historical research and methods is a benefit but not a strict requirement
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office tools
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 Patti Gibbons, Head of Collection Management, Special Collections,pgibbons@uchicago.edu. Applications received by October 15, 2024 will receive assured consideration.