Summer Programs: Student Research Fellowships
These competitive grants are designed to support thesis-related or otherwise substantive research projects, enabling students to spend the summer visiting archives, learning a language necessary to project research, or dedicating their time to a focused program of engaged reading. As the senior thesis serves as the cornerstone of the student academic experience at Haverford, the Center hopes this program will mark a small step toward the creation of a broader, College-wide fund for student research, reaffirming the institution's commitment to making a strong thesis experience a reality for all of its students, regardless of major or academic division.
Eligibility & Outcomes
Rising juniors and seniors working in the humanities or text-based social sciences at Haverford, as well as Bryn Mawr students majoring at Haverford and doing the same, are eligible to apply.
Students proposing a research project should work closely with a faculty member and Library staff to articulate a focused question, problem, or area of study to be explored; if proposing travel, students must verify in consultation with Library staff or faculty member that the suggested location of research is necessary to the project. Students must also demonstrate prior interest and background in the proposed area of study, having ideally taken at least one course at an advanced level in that field.
Summer Research Fellowships may last up to 10 weeks in length. Fellows must propose a research budget, including food, lodging, travel, commuting costs, and any related research expenses particular to the project (admission to libraries, archives, museums, galleries, or relevant performances; the purchase of books, films, or other texts). Students receiving financial aid who have a summer earnings contribution may apply to the Hurford Center for supplemental support.
Throughout the summer, students will contribute to the Hurford Center's blog Decentered, documenting their work. Students will also present their summer research at a "Works-in-Progress" reception in the fall, hosted by the Hurford Center. The Center also encourages creative, continuing projects inspired by or based on summer research, including small exhibitions, student-led reading groups, Body Text/Margin essays, and any other endeavors which bring student research into public discourse at Haverford.
How to Apply
Applications are due via email to HCAH@haverford.edu by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, March 22, 2013. Please put "[your last name] Research Fellowship" in the subject line.
Past Summer Fellowship Projects Contract All | Expand All
2012
- Gender, Civic Virtue, and Happiness in the Public Sphere: Examining the Public Sphere Created by Joseph Johnson's Analytical Review
Emily Bailinson '13 (History and Political Science; Philosophy Minor) researched the relationship between counterpublic spheres, civic virtue, gender, and public happiness in the late 18th century, reading archival copies of the Analytical Review and letters written by its publisher Joseph Johnson at London's Dr. William's Library and the British Museum. - Bypassing Impediments to Change: Reconstructing Modern Political Concepts from Chinese Philosophy
Angelo Ngai '13 (Sociology; Chinese Minor) worked with the Sociology Department to derive modern political concepts from Chinese Ethical and Political Philosophy, studying Chinese language, culture, philosophy, sociology, and constitutional law to prepare for his senior thesis.