Before ‘Farm to Table’: Early Modern Foodways and Cultures Fellowships

Description

The Folger Shakespeare Library seeks to hire three post-doctoral fellows for a multi-year collaborative and cross-disciplinary research project entitled “Before ‘Farm to Table’: Early Modern Foodways and Cultures.” This is the inaugural project in the Folger Shakespeare Library’s Mellon Initiative in Collaborative Research. It is headquartered in the Folger Institute, whose mission is to foster vital research questions, gather knowledge communities, and stimulate collections-based research. The Folger Shakespeare Library is home to the world’s largest Shakespeare collection and supports research on all aspects of British, European, and Atlantic world literary, cultural, political, religious, theatrical, and social history from the fifteenth through the eighteenth centuries. “Before ‘Farm to Table’: Early Modern Foodways and Cultures” will investigate the pervasiveness of food in everyday life as a window into early modern culture, addressing such issues as labor, freedom and enslavement, practical knowledge, ethics, and imagination. These perspectives from a pre-industrial world will shed light on critical post-industrial dilemmas and aspirations. Additional information on the research project may be found at http://www.folger.edu/mellon-initiative-collaborative-research.  The postdoctoral fellows are expected to begin work in September 2018. The positions are renewable for three academic years (through June 2021).

Applicants must hold a recent (within 5 years) Ph.D. in early modern (c. 1450-1750) studies; specific disciplines may include art history, anthropology, food studies, history, literature, philosophy. A successful candidate will bring his or her own individual research to bear on collective decisions about projects in this innovative research initiative. The three post-doctoral fellows will work closely with the project’s co-directors and will be responsible for defining and pursuing research agendas, helping to select short-term fellows and other project associates, and creating scholarly and public programs as well as print and online products. We aim to assemble an interdisciplinary team of post-docs with a diversity of cognate interests and approaches, who will engage in independent and collaborative research, writing, and experimentation. Post-docs will share their findings in a variety of formats and with a variety of audiences, assist with organizing scholarly programs and public events at the Folger, and contribute to online digital projects and exhibitions. Additional information on the specific post-docs and a link to detailed descriptions and application instructions are included below.

The three post-doctoral fellows will be considered employees of the Folger and will receive a generous salary of $5,416.67 per month (equivalent to 65K per year) and a comprehensive benefits package. Housing and/or relocation assistance cannot be provided. Six months of paid individual research and writing time is included, and there will be specific opportunities provided throughout the post-doc period to participate in scholarly conferences and events.

Digital Research Fellow (one fellowship available):

The Digital Research Fellow will be tasked with developing, building, and trialing a structure for accessing and researching texts, images, and metadata relating to the major themes of the project, with an emphasis on the Folger’s unique collection of food-related manuscripts. Working closely with co-directors and Folger stakeholders, the post-doc will help establish and implement editorial and mark-up conventions for creating a searchable corpus of food-related texts and images. The corpus will provide quantitative and qualitative data for the team’s innovative explorations of a wide range of issues in food pathways and cultures of the period through a variety of techniques, including data mining, data visualization, mapping, network analysis, and text analysis.

Demonstrated knowledge and experience with technologies and standards used in digital humanities scholarship such as TEI markup, data visualization, text and network analysis, and common scripting languages, is required. Relevant experience in developing and leading digital humanities research projects is preferred. Applicants should be able to read and transcribe English secretary hand at an advanced level and mark up texts according to TEI: P5 guidelines. Ability to work in a team environment where consultation, flexibility, creativity, and cooperation is essential, as is the ability to manage multiple priorities and tasks.

To learn more about the Digital Research Fellowship and to apply for the position, please visit http://www.folger.edu/employment-opportunities.

Research Fellows (two fellowships available):

The Research Fellows will be tasked with conducting in-depth research into designated topics. Working closely with the co-directors, each will establish priorities for research and writing and will ensure that these goals are met in line with project needs. They will continually evaluate new ideas in light of the scope of the project, conduct project-related research, write and publish individually and collaboratively with other team members and co-directors, and report on results at team meetings and other activities. These fellows will engage with internal and external partners to create, monitor, and enhance an engaging and interactive online resource on their research topics while thinking creatively about the ways that early modern food cultures resonate with modern ones.

Applicants must have an understanding of early modern print and manuscript cultures. A demonstrated ability to read and transcribe English secretary hand is desirable. Project work, research, or familiarity with food histories, representations, cultures, etc. in the early modern period is strongly preferred. Applicants must have experience and fluidity with social media outreach in scholarly communities and an enthusiasm for introduction to academic-adjacent career paths, including academic administration, specialized library work, and the organization of and promotion of public programs events. Working knowledge of Word and Excel needed. Ability to work in a team environment where consultation, flexibility, creativity, and cooperation is essential, as is the ability to manage multiple priorities and tasks.

To learn more about the Research Fellowships and to apply for the positions, please visit http://www.folger.edu/employment-opportunities.

Application requirements include a cover letter, resume/CV and three letters of recommendation. Application deadline is December 1, 2017.

ABOUT THE ANDREW W. MELLON FOUNDATION

Founded in 1969, the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation endeavors to strengthen, promote, and, where necessary, defend the contributions of the humanities and the arts to human flourishing and to the well-being of diverse and democratic societies by supporting exemplary institutions of higher education and culture as they renew and provide access to an invaluable heritage of ambitious, path-breaking work. Additional information is available at mellon.org.

ABOUT THE FOLGER

Folger Shakespeare Library is the world’s largest Shakespeare collection, the ultimate resource for exploring Shakespeare and his world. The Folger welcomes millions of visitors online and in person. We provide unparalleled access to a huge array of resources, from original sources to modern interpretations. With the Folger, you can experience the power of performance, the wonder of exhibitions, and the excitement of agenda-setting research. We offer the opportunity to see and even work with early modern sources, driving discovery and transforming education for students of all ages. Join us online, on the road, or in Washington, DC.