Call for Graduate Discovery Fellows
for the Discovery Research Hub with the Center for Interdisciplinary Critical Inquiry
Berkeley Discovery provides equitable access to the university's mission of knowledge creation, offering transformative, experiential learning that develops students into practitioners and producers of knowledge. The Center for Interdisciplinary Critical Inquiry (CICI) fosters cross-divisional, global collaborations on key political, social, religious, and cultural issues. The Discovery Research Hub with CICI provides mentored experiences for students working in the arts and humanities. This collaboration strengthens Berkeley's research while integrating undergraduate learning into its core mission.
The Discovery Research Hub with CICI is one of the Discovery Hubs, which are interdisciplinary spaces for mentored research that also deepen the connection between graduate researchers and undergraduate mentees. The Hubs encompass a diverse range of colleges and departments across campus, drawing students from fields such as engineering, language, chemistry, sociology, mathematics, music, and ethnic studies.
How does it work?
Post-prospectus Graduate Fellows assemble clusters of 2-4 Undergraduate Scholars who assist them in some aspect of their dissertation research. The Discovery Fellows design a research agenda for their clusters and work with Undergraduate Scholars throughout the academic year to hone methods, concepts, and skills related to the field(s) of their specific project. The program offers Undergraduate Scholars a chance to experience the pursuit of independent research questions within a select community of interdisciplinary students.
The Discovery Research Hub supports the development of graduate students' dissertations while developing their leadership and mentorship skills. The Discovery Fellows gather together in all-Hub monthly workshops, at times joined by their Undergraduate Scholars. This workshop series, facilitated by Berkeley Discovery, covers a variety of topics such as mentorship, professional and academic development, and research communication, to build skills for productive leadership. These gatherings build community and improve collaboration among the graduate and undergraduate students. At the end of the year, Graduate Fellows and their Undergraduate Scholars present their work together at the Discovery Hubs Symposium.
Application Requirements
-
Graduate Fellows in the program must be post-prospectus in their dissertations.
-
Graduate Fellows must be pursuing a dissertation project in the arts or humanities
-
The aim of the research cluster is not only to develop each Fellow’s dissertation work through the act of teaching and sharing their research, but also to actively involve undergraduates in the work of the dissertation research process. Though the research cluster may be modeled on a writing group or a graduate seminar, there should be a focus on helping students learn about the discipline and academic work itself. The successful application shows a clear vision for how Undergraduate Scholars will engage in the research process.
As a Graduate Fellow, you will receive:
-
Guidance and support to recruit 2-4 undergraduate research scholars (Scholars) for your year-long research cluster
-
Leadership training at monthly workshops with topics covering mentorship, communication, and other professional skills and opportunities to engage with faculty.
-
A stipend of $2,000 - $4,000 per semester (depending on the number of Scholars)
-
$500 in research funds for the purchase of books, media licenses, or other sundries associated with your research cluster. The research funds must be spent down by the end of the project term.
How to Apply:
To apply to become a Discovery Fellow at CICI, please complete the application form here
The application includes the following:
-
Project Statement and Dissertation Abstract
-
Learning Outcomes
-
Budget and Resources
-
Timing and Scope