The Center for Middletown Studies offers up to two competitive faculty fellowships for the 2024-2025 academic year, including for summer term 2024. These fellowships support faculty seeking to fund the development of one or more external grant proposals for research initiatives with relevance to themes and issues addressed in Middletown Studies scholarship.
The Center’s mission is to build on the body of scholarship inaugurated by Robert S. and Helen Merrell Lynd in their landmark studies Middletown (1929) and Middletown in Transition (1937). The Lynds sought to answer broad questions about the economic, civic, social, and cultural character of American life. The Center seeks to build upon this legacy while also reframing Middletown-based scholarship to emphasize inclusive, community-engaged research that addresses social, economic, and political inequalities. It also supports research on these issues that focus on communities other than Muncie, especially those in economically distressed places.
The faculty fellow is expected to submit one or more external funding proposals within one year of completing the fellowship award. The application for external funding should seek at least $10,000. The Fellowship provides a $3,000 stipend for 2024 summer term research OR a one-course buyout during the 2024-2025 academic year, as well as administrative support and research assistance from the Center.
Applicants should submit a brief proposal, a short c.v., and any supplemental materials to jconnoll@bsu.edu by February 26, 2024. Recipients will be announced by March 22, 2024. The proposal should be no more than two single-spaced pages. It should outline the idea for the project, explain its significance, and discuss its connection to community-focused research and/or to themes and issues raised in Middletown Studies scholarship. It should also identify one or more targeted grant programs. Supplemental materials may include a short writing sample, a bibliography, and/or evidence of communication from a funding officer.
We especially welcome proposals that seek to address urban inequalities and minoritized populations in a decolonizing or intersectional framework and/or address the centennial anniversary of Robert and Helen Lynd’s original Middletown investigation (2024-2025). We are also open to supporting creative projects that address themes and issues related to Middletown scholarship.
Send questions to Jim Connolly at jconnoll@bsu.edu or Jennifer Erickson (jlerickson@bsu.edu). Interested faculty are encouraged to consult with Center staff in advance of their application.