Research Fellow, Community Initiatives (EXPIRED)

The National Humanities Alliance (NHA) is a nationwide coalition of organizations advocating for the humanities on campuses, in communities, and on Capitol Hill. Founded in 1981, NHA is supported by over 200 member organizations, including: colleges, universities, libraries, museums, cultural organizations, state humanities councils, and scholarly, professional, and higher education associations. It is the only organization that brings together the U.S. humanities community as a whole.

What we do:

• Cultivate support for federal funding for the humanities. 
• Promote the public value of the humanities.
• Promote the value of studying the humanities.
• Convene the humanities community to explore best practices for advocating for the humanities on campus, in communities, and on Capitol Hill.

The National Humanities Alliance invites applications for a research fellow with qualitative research experience and an interest in community-based humanities work. The fellow will work primarily on our efforts to document the value of the humanities in communities around the country. These efforts include (1) in-depth case studies aimed at illuminating how humanities education, organizations, and programs can collectively foster more just, inclusive, and flourishing cities, towns, and rural communities and (2) our NEH for All initiative, which documents and communicates the impact of National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) funding on communities, organizations, and individuals. This position is supported by a grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.

The research fellow will have the opportunity to learn about the use of research in advocacy, mobilizing coalitions on local and national levels, project management, and how the humanities impact public life in the United States. They will work closely with representatives from a diverse range of organizations that are central to the humanities, such as museums, community-based archives, higher ed institutions of all types (including access-oriented institutions), and social service organizations.

Reporting Structure: The research fellow will report to the director of community initiatives.

Term: This is a 2.5 year position.

Job Classification: Exempt

Essential Functions:

• Identify compelling examples of humanities work, including work supported by the NEH. 
• Conduct and participate in interviews with a broad range of individuals carrying out humanities work and participants in humanities programs.
• Collect, analyze, and synthesize data, creating reports for a wide range of public audiences.
• Create and manage content for NEHforAll.org and other webpages and materials associated with community projects.
• Collaborate closely with the director of community initiatives and manager of community research to create comprehensive profiles of humanities organizations and programs and their wide-ranging impacts. 
• Additional responsibilities as assigned by the director of community initiatives.

Required Qualifications:

• Advanced research experience in a humanities or humanistic social science discipline (Ph.D. or ABD). Demonstrated experience working with community-based organizations and/or programs.

Preferred Qualifications

• A strong ability to choose among alternatives and identify key priorities for work.
• Demonstrated knowledge of educational and cultural policy.
• Excellent writing, interpersonal, organizational, and leadership skills.
• Experience working and communicating with non-academic audiences.

Compensation: Salary is competitive. A full benefits package is provided to all NHA staff members.

To apply: Please submit a substantive cover letter and resume to Cecily Hill, Ph.D., Director of Community Initiatives, National Humanities Alliance, at [email protected]. Applications that demonstrate both academic and non-academic work experience are strongly encouraged. Review of applications will begin July 20 and continue until someone has been hired, with the goal of a September 1 start date. The NHA is an equal opportunity employer.

• On-site Location
• Full Time Schedule