Mellon Collections Education and Research Fellow

Position Summary:

The Mellon Collections Education and Research Fellow plays an important role in advancing the Laboratory for the Humanistic Study of a More-than-Human World at Fort Lewis College. This interdisciplinary project, which is funded through a grant from the Mellon Foundation, integrates humanistic methods and Indigenous knowledge systems to foster greater understanding of the relationships among humans, non-humans, and their environments.

Working collaboratively with the grant PIs, faculty, and Center of Southwest Studies (CSWS) staff, the Fellow will prioritize the development and implementation of object-based learning (OBL) projects that are grounded in a relational understanding of objects as embodiments of interconnected relationships among people, places, history, and knowledge systems. Specific Mellon-funded projects will be identified annually in consultation with the grant leadership team to ensure alignment with evolving program needs.

In addition to these primary responsibilities, the Fellow will contribute to various CSWS outreach and curatorial initiatives, including exhibitions, collections research, and educational programming, leveraging the Center’s resources to enhance teaching and interdisciplinary scholarship.

This position offers an early-career professional the opportunity to engage in innovative, community-informed, and interdisciplinary work while gaining hands-on experience in collections-based research, pedagogy, and public humanities. The role also requires participation in monthly Mellon grant meetings and active collaboration with campus and community partners.

Job Description:

Job Summary

The Mellon Collections Education and Research Fellow plays an important role in advancing the Laboratory for the Humanistic Study of a More-than-Human World at Fort Lewis College. This interdisciplinary project, which is funded through a grant from the Mellon Foundation, integrates humanistic methods and Indigenous knowledge systems to foster greater understanding of the relationships among humans, non-humans, and their environments.

Working collaboratively with the grant PIs, faculty, and Center of Southwest Studies (CSWS) staff, the Fellow will prioritize the development and implementation of object-based learning (OBL) projects that are grounded in a relational understanding of objects as embodiments of interconnected relationships among people, places, history, and knowledge systems. Specific Mellon-funded projects will be identified annually in consultation with the grant leadership team to ensure alignment with evolving program needs.

In addition to these primary responsibilities, the Fellow will contribute to various CSWS outreach and curatorial initiatives, including exhibitions, collections research, and educational programming, leveraging the Center’s resources to enhance teaching and interdisciplinary scholarship.

This position offers an early-career professional the opportunity to engage in innovative, community-informed, and interdisciplinary work while gaining hands-on experience in collections-based research, pedagogy, and public humanities. The role also requires participation in monthly Mellon grant meetings and active collaboration with campus and community partners.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities

Primary Responsibilities: Mellon Project

1. Object-Based Learning (OBL) Initiatives & Resources

• Collaborate with the Principal Investigator, Co-PIs, and faculty to design and implement object-based learning (OBL) initiatives.

• Assist faculty in identifying and incorporating CSWS collections into grant-related curricula and research projects.

• Develop pedagogical resources such as lesson plans, assignments, and interpretive materials for inclusion in the project’s open educational resource, Tirakuna: The FLC Hub for Humanistic Engagement.

• Lead and support specific Mellon-funded projects identified annually in consultation with the grant leadership team.

2. Laboratory for the Humanistic Study of a More-than-Human World

• Support undergraduate research and collaboration within the laboratory, including workshops, consultations, and mentorship activities.

• Assist with the coordination of laboratory programming, including workshops, speaker events, and student engagement activities.

• Hold a minimum of three office hours per week in the laboratory.