Evanston History Center Research Scholar

Since 2007, the Evanston Women’s History Project (EWHP) at the Evanston History Center has documented and celebrated more than 300 women and 100 women’s organizations that made significant contributions to the Evanston community. Through archival research, online access through the project’s website and database, multiple exhibits and public art projects, and many kinds of public programs, the project has shared and preserved the stories of Evanston women’s lives and work. In 2020, the EWHP coordinated the Evanston commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the 19th (women’s suffrage) amendment to the U.S. Constitution, ensuring that this important moment in women’s activism in Evanston and Illinois was honored.

The Evanston History Center is now looking to research, document, and share a new period in Evanston women’s history – beginning with post-WWII activism and continuing through the women’s movement of the 1960’s and 70’s and the years since.

To identify, frame, and share these new stories, we are seeking to hire a Research Scholar for a period of six to nine months. The ideal candidate will be a graduate student or comparable scholar familiar with this time period in American history and well-versed in the ways women sought to be heard on issues of importance to them post-WWII. T elling this narrative through the lens of women leaders in Evanston will require extensive research in our archives and outreach to other archival sources. This role also includes collecting oral histories of the women in Evanston who are trailblazing and contributing today. Ideally, the candidate will have some experience creating innovative content as a result of their research. They will actively partner with the Director of Public Engagement to share this work with the public through programs, exhibits, digital content, social media, and newly created tours.

Key Responsibilities

1. Develop an overarching research theme for the project in partnership with the Executive Director and Director of Public Engagement.
2. Plan, organize, and conduct research to assist in producing content for the website, exhibits, public programs, tours, partnership events, and other initiatives.
3. Seek out and identify a wide range of research sources including primary and secondary literature, archives, digital databases, oral histories, and interviewees.
4. Participate in staff meetings, program and grant planning sessions, public presentations, lectures, and panels on topics researched.
5. Develop educational and outreach programs for students, visitors, and other audiences to engage them in the study of women’s history in Evanston and the importance of preserving historical records.6) Organize and maintain records and collections of historical documents, oral histories, artifacts, and other materials, ensuring their preservation and accessibility.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or advanced degree in history, women’s history and/or gender studies, or other closely related fields, with a focus on American history post-WWII
• Experience conducting original research using primary and secondary sources, with a proven ability to navigate archives, libraries, and other research institutions
• Oral history project experience and familiarity with standards for oral history work
• Knowledge of methods of historical analysis and interpretation
• Ability to communicate complex historical concepts to a variety of audiences
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, with experience managing archives or historical collections preferred
• Cultural competency in effectively working with people of diverse ethnicities, cultural backgrounds, language capabilities, and abilities
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively
• Flexibility to adapt to changing priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment
• Strong written and spoken English skills
• Familiarity with Evanston history and communities a plus
• Experience teaching and/or developing educational programs on historical topics is a plus

Details

• The Research Scholar role will be an academic year position of 6-9 months, beginning in September-October 2024
• Compensation: 5-10 hours per week at $30/hr
• Location: Evanston History Center, 225 Greenwood Street, Evanston, Illinois
• Supervised by the Director of Public Engagement

To Apply

• Please submit your resume, a statement of how this project relates to your field of study and your interests going forward, and an optional research writing sample to Krista Fabian DeCastro, Director of Public Engagement at kfabian@evanstonhistorycenter.org
• Applications will be considered until the position is filled, with an anticipated start date in September-October 2024.