History Through a Student’s Eyes: Research Assistant & Signature Work

Date and Location: Dec. 4, AB 1079 , 5 to 6pm.

On Wednesday, Dec. 4, from 5-6pm, Haiyi Guo will share insights from his experience working as student researcher for Prof. Zach Fredman for his recently published book The Tormented Alliance and for Prof. Fredman’s new project on the “Rest and Recreation” program in Vietnam. Haiyi will also present his own Signature Work project and receive feedback and comments from the community.

Sponsored by: HRC’s Archives and History Initiative

Book Proposal Workshop: Incendiary Cities: Fire, Technology, and the Origins of Modern Emergency Response in Germany and the U.s.,1800-1900

Date: November 7 (Thursday)
Time: 12-1pm
Location: IB 2025

On November 7, Professor Jan Hua-Henning invites faculty and students to join his book proposal workshop. We’ll discuss his book proposal for Incendiary Cities: Fire, Technology, and the Origins of Modern Emergency Response in Germany and the U.S., 1800-1900. Incendiary Cities explores how and why emergency fire services evolved during the nineteenth century and who they deemed worthy of protection.

The book proposal as a genre of writing is not only interesting for those planning to publish a book. It also shares many similarities with research and grant proposals. Book proposals highlight the novelty of an argument and research agenda while also providing an overview of the targeted audience. The workshop is a great way to learn about academic writing and research and to get to know faculty at DKU.

We will be joined by Scott G. Knowles, a historian of disaster worldwide and Professor at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology. Knowles is the author of The Disaster Experts and is currently completing two new books: The United States of Disaster; and Slow Disaster. Students are welcome to join the workshop. Food will be provided.

If you would like to read the book proposal in advance, please reach out to our student coordinator, Sydney Brown, at sydney.brown@dukekunshan.edu.cn.