The University of Illinois History department seeks to recruit a PhD student for a special fellowship and research program under the rubric of “Indigenous Midwest.” The successful applicant(s) will enroll in the regular PhD program in history at U of I, pursuing a dissertation in some subject broadly connected to the rubric of Indigenous Midwest.
The student(s) will also join several ongoing research and outreach initiatives with faculty at the U of I. Reclaiming Stories is a collaborative project with the Peoria and Miami Tribes, focusing on the study and revitalization of hide art painting, in partnership with the musée du quai Branly in Paris. A related project on the history of Indigenous travelers in Paris is in development. This graduate student will also join an ongoing effort by U of I faculty to create resources to support Illinois teachers in carrying out Illinois’s new HB 1633.
This PhD position will feature a guarantee of full funding, much of which will come in the form of graduate assistantships to work on the projects mentioned above. The student will also follow the normal curriculum at U of I for a PhD, benefiting from the excellent resources and faculty of this leading history program. Key history faculty supporting this position are Jacki Rand, Rosalyn LaPier, Dave Beck, and Bob Morrissey.
To apply, please submit an application here, and mention in your personal statement that you are interested in this special opportunity. Questions should be directed to Bob Morrissey (rmorriss @ illinois.edu).
We are especially interested in applicants who:
- Have demonstrated interest in midwestern and Indigenous history
- Have French language skills or an interest in learning French
- Are interested in public humanities and community-engagement