Position Title: Post-Doctoral Fellow in Democracy and Landscape, a Mellon Initiative of the Garden and Landscape Studies Program at Dumbarton Oaks Research Library
Summary
Dumbarton Oaks is a research institute affiliated with Harvard University that supports research in Byzantine, Pre-Columbian, and Garden and Landscape Studies. Dumbarton Oaks encompasses a museum with world-class collections of Pre-Columbian, Byzantine, and European Renaissance art, and a historic garden designed as a work of art by Beatrix Farrand. Since 2014 the Garden and Landscape Studies program, with support from the Mellon Foundation, has sought to both challenge and expand the boundaries of landscape and garden histories and narratives. The initiative has recently been renewed by the Mellon Foundation as part of the Humanities in Place initiative. Titled “Democracy and Landscape: Race, Identity, and Difference”, this initiative contributes to the re-shaping of how we understand and share histories of people in place and on/with land. We seek to steward a community of scholars engaged in research that reframes the narratives of landscape history by engaging a deeper inquiry into the legacies of race, identity, and difference as they shape the practice of democracy, contributing to a fuller and more truthful history of people and place.
To expand and enrich our work, we are offering a Post-Doctoral Fellowship in Democracy and Landscape. This is a one-year fellowship, with the possibility of renewal for two additional years. The candidate will be an environmental historian (defined broadly to include those located in departments of art, architectural, landscape, and cultural histories as well as geography, design, or environmental science among others) of any period or geography. The Fellow would join a vibrant community of scholars in Byzantine, Pre-Columbian, and Garden and Landscape Studies as well as those in music and art. Collaborative and interdisciplinary scholarship is encouraged throughout the programs.
The Post-Doctoral Fellow will be engaged in two areas of focus:
• Facilitate programs that advance the field of environmental histories with a focus on democracy, race, identity, and difference. These might include colloquia, workshops, midday dialogues, and public lectures as well as publications. The intention is for the Fellow to both enhance programs at Dumbarton Oaks and to engage in their own scholarship and publications in environmental history. The Mellon Initiative Program Coordinator will assist with all Dumbarton Oaks activities.
• Plan and lead activities and programs designated for advanced high school and undergraduate curricula that explore how environmental histories expand our understanding of place in the making of democracy. Activities and programs should include opportunities for curriculum development and teaching. This work will be done in collaboration with the Mellon Initiative Program Coordinator and the Education Manager.
In addition to the focus areas, the Post-Doctoral Fellow will assist with community building of Mellon Fellows and outreach to potential scholars interested in pursuing scholarship at Dumbarton Oaks. We envisage that the Fellow will dedicate approximately 80% to the Initiative and 20% of time working on their own project, chosen to be in keeping with the Mellon Initiative “Democracy and Landscape” research profile.
As part of the Garden and Landscape/Democracy and Landscape team, the Post-Doctoral Fellow will work closely with the study programs—Garden and Landscape, Pre-Columbian, and Byzantine—on joint events and scholarly content as well as interacting with the Library, Museum, Gardens, Publications, and other departments at Dumbarton Oaks. This fellowship offers opportunities to build career skills in environmental humanities, special collections, and innovative pedagogical tools, while benefiting from the unique resources of Dumbarton Oaks.
Basic Qualifications
PhD in the humanities and humanistic social sciences with a focus on environmental histories. History, Architectural History, Landscape History, Art History, History of Science, and the Environmental Humanities among others are pertinent areas of inquiry.
Experience working with special collections and digital repositories.
Preferred Qualifications
Teaching or curriculum development experience, either at high-school or undergraduate level.
Editorial experience, in print or digital publications.
Experience in one of the core study areas of Dumbarton Oaks—Byzantine, Pre-Columbian, or Garden and Landscape Studies—is welcome, though not required.
Excellent writing skills.
Excellent research skills.
Term
This is a one-year fellowship, with the possibility of renewal for up to two additional years. The Post-Doctoral Fellow will have access to the outstanding resources of the institute and become part of the larger research community at Dumbarton Oaks. The Fellowship carries a stipend of $65,000 per year with an additional $1,000 annual, taxable research allowance. The Post-Doctoral Fellow will be eligible for medical insurance through the Dumbarton Oaks Fellows’ plan. The Fellow will be provided with a workspace, access to the library and museum collections, and complimentary lunches in the refectory on weekdays, among other privileges of our community of fellows.
Applications must be submitted by August 15, 2023, to FellowshipPrograms@doaks.org. Applicants should submit a cover letter, résumé, and a statement of interest describing their professional and academic experience (1000 words). Two letters of recommendation should be sent to the above email by the August 15 deadline. The Fellowship will begin in January 2024. Applicants must have fulfilled all the requirements for the PhD by the time of application and must have received the PhD no later than June 30, 2023, and no earlier than July 31, 2019.
Commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging
Dumbarton Oaks views equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging as the pathway to achieving inclusive excellence and fostering a campus culture where everyone can thrive. We strive to create a community that draws upon the widest possible pool of talent to unify excellence and diversity while fully embracing individuals from varied backgrounds, cultures, races, identities, life experiences, perspectives, beliefs, and values.
EEO Statement
We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, or any other characteristic protected by law.
