# Student Research Assistantships ## **Student Research Assistantships** ### **Transcendentalism Initiative, 2026–2027** The Center for the Study of World Religions (CSWR) at Harvard Divinity School invites applications for up to five student research assistant positions connected to the Center’s 2026–2027 Transcendentalism Initiative. Please see the details for individual positions at the dropdowns below. These positions offer students the opportunity to work closely with leading scholars, writers, and artists engaged in research on Transcendentalism and related intellectual, literary, philosophical, religious, and artistic traditions. Depending on the project, appointments may run for a semester or for the full academic year, generally averaging approximately 5–7 hours per week. In addition to direct project work, student assistants will become part of the broader intellectual community of the Initiative and the Center. Students will have opportunities to attend and participate in public lectures, workshops, symposia, research talks, and smaller academic gatherings connected to the program. Research responsibilities may include: - archival research across digital and physical collections - transcription and annotation - literature reviews and bibliography development - editorial and research assistance - data organization and presentation - digital humanities and website-related work - assistance with audio/video documentation and media production To apply, please submit a brief statement of interest, CV or resume, indication of which position(s) are of interest, relevant research, technical, or creative experience. Please review all the open positions through the dropdowns below. Please send applications to: [**cswr@hds.harvard.edu**](mailto:cswr@hds.harvard.edu) Final deadline to apply: August 15, 2026. Please note that applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the positions are filled. ## Open Positions Open all sections Close all sections ### Research Assistant to Lydia Moland, Professor of Philosophy, Colby College expand\_more #### **Research Assistant to Lydia Moland** #### **Professor of Philosophy, Colby College** #### **Appointment period:** Fall and Spring Semesters, September 2026–May 2027 Professor Lydia Moland’s research next year will focus on the transcendentalist roots of women’s philosophical thought in the early twentieth century, especially in German and American pacifist movements of the interwar period. The student assistant will support research connected to intellectual history, women’s thought, and transatlantic philosophical networks. Responsibilities may include: - archival research across digital and physical collections - transcription and organization of manuscript and research materials - literature reviews and bibliography development - data organization and presentation - editorial and research support - assistance with digital organization, website structure, and presentation of research materials Preferred background and skills: - interest in philosophy, intellectual history, religion, literature, women’s studies, history, or related fields - strong research and organizational skills - careful attention to detail - experience with archival or humanities research preferred - familiarity with digital organization tools, databases, spreadsheets, or website platforms helpful ### Research Assistant to Scott Pratt, Professor of Philosophy, University of Oregon expand\_more #### **Research Assistant to Scott Pratt** #### **Professor of Philosophy, University of Oregon** #### **Appointment period:** Fall Semester, September–December 2026 Professor Scott Pratt’s research at the Center will focus on two interconnected areas: the relationship between Transcendentalism and the philosophy of Josiah Royce, especially Royce’s concept of “absolute pragmatism,” and the connections between Transcendentalism and Indigenous North American philosophy. The student assistant will support research related to American philosophy, pragmatism, Indigenous thought, and intellectual history. Responsibilities may include: - archival research across digital and physical collections - transcription and organization of manuscript and research materials - literature reviews and bibliography development - data organization and presentation - editorial and research support - assistance with manuscript preparation and citation management Preferred background and skills: - interest in philosophy, religion, American studies, Indigenous studies, political theory, or intellectual history - strong writing and organizational abilities - experience with research databases and citation systems - ability to work carefully with complex scholarly materials ### Research Assistant to Alice de Galzain, Postdoctoral Fellow, Sorbonne Université expand\_more #### **Research Assistant to Alice de Galzain** #### **Postdoctoral Fellow, Sorbonne Université** #### **Appointment period:** Fall and Spring Semesters, October 2026–May 2027 ##### Candidate Profile - A PhD student in the early stages of their program, with flexibility to devote time to a side project. - Academic background: **nineteenth-century American literature**; PhD students in **Art History** are also welcome to apply. - Strong communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills. - Interest in **archival research**, public-facing humanities work, editorial practice. ##### Exhibition Support: The student assistant will support the planning of an exhibition on **Transcendentalist female artists** that will take place at Harvard University in 2027 (January–April). Planning is already underway and the student is expected to begin working on this project in September 2026. Responsibilities include: - helping set up the exhibition itself - liaising with participating members - helping promote the event. ##### (Optional) Scholarly Editing: For students interested in learning about academic publishing and the work involved in annotated editions, there is an opportunity to collaborate on the editing a volume of Margaret Fuller’s periodical writings (1834–1841) for Edinburgh University Press. The task involves checking transcriptions of annotated texts against original sources, with particular attention to punctuation and textual accuracy. This work offers exposure to **scholarly editing** and annotated editions. ##### Professional Development and Mentoring This position is also an opportunity to receive mentoring on the following aspects of academic work: - archival research methods - funding opportunities in Europe for post-PhD research and fellowships - broader aspects of academic life, including publishing, networking, and career planning. ### Media and Documentation Assistant, Transcendentalism Initiative expand\_more #### **Media and Documentation Assistant** #### **Transcendentalism Initiative, point contact: Gosia Sklodowska, CSWR Executive Director** #### **Appointment period:** Fall and Spring Semesters, September 2026–May 2027 The Transcendentalism Initiative is seeking a student assistant to support media documentation and digital storytelling projects connected to the Initiative’s public programming and scholarly activities. The student will assist with documenting major gatherings, including the Initiative’s September workshop and May conference, and will help develop materials for a new video series centered on key Transcendentalist texts, authors, and readings. Responsibilities may include: - filming and documenting public programs, workshops, and conferences - assisting with video editing and post-production - organizing media assets and project files - helping develop short-form educational and scholarly video content - coordinating basic production logistics for interviews and recordings Preferred background and skills: - interest in film, media studies, digital humanities, journalism, literature, religion, or the arts - experience with video recording and editing software - strong organizational and communication skills - ability to work collaboratively in live event settings - familiarity with Adobe Premiere, Final Cut, Canva, or related tools helpful ### Research Assistant to Kristen Case, Professor of English, University of Maine expand\_more #### **Research Assistant to Kristen Case** #### **Professor of English, University of Maine** #### **Appointment period:** Fall, September - December 2026 Professor Kristen Case’s current research project, “Original Relations,” explores the tensions between the individualism associated with nineteenth-century New England thought and the collaborative and community-oriented practices that shaped Transcendentalist circles, including Brook Farm, *The Dial*, Margaret Fuller’s Conversations, and shared practices of reading, journaling, correspondence, and literary exchange. Her work investigates how these practices reshaped understandings of selfhood, authorship, community, and public life. The student assistant will support archival and literary research connected to Transcendentalist writing practices, intellectual history, and nineteenth-century literary culture. The position is designed not only as a research opportunity, but also as a chance for close intellectual exchange and mentorship within the broader Transcendentalism Initiative community. Responsibilities may include: - archival research across digital and physical collections - transcription and organization of manuscript and research materials - secondary research related to Emerson, Thoreau, Margaret Fuller, *The Dial*, and broader Transcendentalist networks - assistance tracing connections between journals, letters, lectures, essays, and other forms of literary circulation and exchange - support for research on nineteenth-century reading, writing, and collaborative intellectual practices - participation in conversations and workshops connected to the broader Transcendentalism Initiative community Preferred background and skills: - interest in American literature, Transcendentalism, intellectual history, religion, philosophy, or related humanities fields - strong reading, writing, and organizational skills - careful attention to detail - interest in archival and manuscript-based research - enthusiasm for collaborative intellectual work and discussion