MONEY FOR DOING HISTORY

Undergraduates can apply for funds to do research on projects in these exciting areas:

History of Technology

History of Gender & Sexuality

Atlantic Slavery

Caribbean & Latin American History

Monuments & Public Memory

History of Industrial Manufacturing

History of Social Sciences

History of  Costume & Fashion

History of Aesthetics

Family History

Participating students will receive a $500 stipend.

Curious about history and how to do research in history? Want internship-like experience in a humanities discipline? Become an intern researcher with a stipend in the MicroWorlds Lab! The MicroWorlds Lab introduces students to the basic methods of history associated with microhistory. Microhistory focuses on the day-to-day level where people actually lived their lives. Through small-scale analysis, students learn how to understand not just individual people’s lives but big historical problems as well. During the Spring 2020 semester, the MicroWorlds Lab is offering at least six undergraduate students the opportunity to conduct microhistorical research projects on topics of their choosing.

Some suggested broad themes for spring stipends include: the: the history of gender and sexuality; the history of technology; Atlantic slavery; Caribbean & Latin American history; the history of industrial manufacturing; monuments & public memory; costume and fashion history; the history of social sciences; the history of aesthetics; family history

While projects are self-guided, participating students work closely with faculty and graduate fellows in the MicroWorlds Lab. Stipend holders should expect to devote one to three hours per week doing research on research. At the end of the semester, students will receive a $500 stipend + $250 research funds for travel from the MicroWorlds Lab in recognition of their work.

What should a research statement include?  It’s simple: a general overview of the kind of research you are interested in studying at the MicroWorlds Lab, and why. For example, you may be curious about today’s debates about public memorials of controversial historical figures, the history of the American corporation, or the history of slavery in the Caribbean.  No background research necessary.  Just identify a topic and why.  Successful applicants will be notified by November 14.

Points of note:

  • MicroWorlds undergrad research projects are open to all Duke undergraduate students. You do not have to be a History major to apply.
  • MicroWorlds undergrad research projects are open to undergrads of all years, from freshpersons to seniors.
  • You will not receive course credit for participating in a MicroWorlds undergrad research project. The research project is both more flexible and less rigorous than a course. It is more like an internship with close, hands-on mentoring from faculty and graduate students, and can have varying outcomes depending on the project.
  • You will receive a $500 stipend upon completion of your project.

Interested students should email an informal research statement, one to two double-spaced pages in length, to Professor Thomas Robisheaux (trobish@duke.edu) and Professor Nicole Barnes (neb18@duke.edu) by November 2, 2019.

PLEASE NOTE: More research stipends will be awarded in 2019-2020 academic year. Contact Professor Robisheaux for information.

FAQs:

Do I have to be a History major or minor to participate in a MicroWorlds undergrad research project?

No, MicroWorlds undergrad research projects are open to all Duke undergraduate students.

What year do I have to be in to participate in a MicroWorlds undergrad research project?

MicroWorlds undergrad research projects are open to undergrads of all years, from freshmen to seniors.

Will I get course credit for participating in a MicroWorlds undergrad research project?

No. The research stipend is more flexible, and less rigorous than a course. It is more like an internship with close, hands-on mentoring from faculty and graduate students, and can have varying outcomes depending on the project. You will receive a $500 stipend upon completion of your project.

QUESTIONS?

Any further questions? Email trobish@duke.edu or neb18@duke.edu.