Scholar in Practice

The Boston University Center for Antiracist Research invites applications for our two-year Scholar in Practice Postdoctoral Fellowship. This postdoctoral fellowship program aims to train and mentor scholar-activists invested in utilizing their research expertise to directly contribute to social change. The fellowship is designed to support researchers seeking non-academic careers and/or looking to transition away from tenure-track roles. Applications are welcome from scholars in all disciplines who received their doctoral degree between 2017 and 2023. ABD doctoral candidates who will defend their dissertation by July 1, 2023 are also strongly encouraged to apply.

In the 2023 inaugural cycle, the program will award up to two fellowships. Fellows will be in residence full-time at Boston University from July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2025. The stipend for each fiscal year is $65,000 plus benefits. Fellows will have access to a workspace and computer. There is no teaching requirement for this fellowship (although fellows may work with student employees at the Center). This fellowship does not provide funds for housing and moving costs. However, each fellow will receive support of up to $2,000 for research and project related expenses as well as access to professional development training and resources.

Application Timeline

The 2023 application portal is now closed. Stay tuned for future opportunities.

Eligibility

  1. Have a PhD officially conferred between January 1, 2017 and July 1, 2023
  2. A demonstrated interest working in applied, non-tenure track positions
  3. Scholarship related to social change and racism or antiracism

Application Process

All materials must be submitted through our online portal. Please note that the application must be completed and submitted all at once; you will not be able to save and return to the application.

A complete application consists of:

  • A cover letter (no more than 2 pages) describing interest in antiracist research and scholar-activism, overview of any relevant research and/or advocacy work experience, and postdoctoral and long-term career goals. Additionally, the cover letter should identify which office(s) and/or project areas you hope to work with during your fellowship, as well as any potential community-centered projects you wish to undertake during your fellowship.
  • Curriculum Vitae
  • Transcript from PhD-granting institution (unofficial is acceptable)

About The Postdoctoral Fellowship

The mission of the Boston University Center for Antiracist Research is to convene researchers and practitioners from various disciplines to work with communities to figure out novel and practical ways to understand, explain, and solve seemingly intractable problems of racial inequity and injustice. We foster exhaustive antiracist research, research-based policy innovation, data-driven educational and advocacy campaigns, and narrative-change initiatives. Fellowships will be awarded to scholars of racism and antiracism who value cross-disciplinary collaboration, community-engaged work, public scholarship, and real-world impact for communities impacted by racism.

During their two-year tenure, postdoc fellows will contribute to ongoing Center projects as well as design and oversee their own community-centered research project. In addition, fellows will participate in the Center’s scholarly community, programming, and community engagement, and will be paired with a mentor who can provide ongoing professional support.

Based on their expertise, experience, and goals, fellows will work alongside Center faculty and staff in one of our four offices: Research, Policy, Narrative, and Advocacy.

Research
The Research Office designs and executes antiracist research that is cross-disciplinary, community-centered, publicly accessible, and contributes to meaningful impact in the lives of people of color. Current project areas include: racial data science, health and social safety net, and racial wealth gap.

Policy
The mission of the Policy Office is to identify racist policies and to ascertain, craft, and elevate evidence-based antiracist policies that can create a more racially just and equitable society. Current project areas include reparations and felony murder.

Narrative
The mission of the Narrative Office is to reframe the national conversation on race and catalyze action to build a more equitable society for all through the production, translation, and dissemination of influential antiracist research and opinion, as well as movement building through storytelling and narrative change campaigns. Current project areas include: research translation, narrative change, public scholarship, and curriculum development.

Advocacy
The Advocacy Office connects, aligns, and strengthens antiracist efforts across the country. It aims to build collective power by meaningfully resourcing antiracist community organizers and organizations to produce community-led research, supporting and amplifying their narrative change work, creating opportunities to collaborate on policy change, and developing creative mechanisms for antiracist mobilizers to find each other, collaborate, and dream together. Current project areas include youth justice and alternative safety.

 

If you have questions about the program or application process, please contact us at CARPP@bu.edu