Shakespeare Research Fellow
Call for Applications: Humanities EXPLORE Undergraduate Research Fellowship with Literature Professor Sean Keilen, 2024-2025
Shakespeare in Santa Cruz: A Performance History (LIT)
We encourage work-study and non-work-study students to apply. This role is only open to undergraduate students with a declared or proposed Humanities major or minor and requires work authorization.
Application Deadline: Sunday, January 19, 2025
The Humanities Experiential Learning Opportunities in Research (EXPLORE) Program connects undergraduate Humanities majors and minors with faculty-led projects in the division for paid research positions. Fellows gain valuable mentorship and practical experience.
About The Project
The goal of this project is to explore the records of Santa Cruz Shakespeare in McHenry Library for information about past productions and to write brief histories of those productions for use in community education programs sponsored by Shakespeare Workshop and in playbills and other publications associated with the upcoming summer season at Santa Cruz Shakespeare.
JOB DUTIES
- Archival Research [40%]: reading the records of Shakespeare Santa Cruz at McHenry Library for information about past productions; seeking information about production history beyond the archive (for example, in local newspapers and other media outlets or publicly available departmental records) and from relevant UCSC faculty and staff; keeping detailed notes
- Writing [40%]: drafting and revising content about local performance history for the purposes of community education and outreach
- Collaboration [20%]: meetings with Professor Keilen to discuss the scope and progress of the project
Required Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities
- You are a declared or proposed major or minor in a department in the Humanities Division and are in good academic standing. If your major or minor is proposed, you can declare by the end of the academic year in June. [strict eligibility requirement]
- Eligible majors: Applied Linguistics and Multilingualism, Classical Studies, Critical Race and Ethnic Studies, Feminist Studies, History, Jewish Studies, Language Studies, Linguistics, Literature, Philosophy, Spanish Studies
- Eligible minors: Black Studies, Classical Studies, East Asian Studies, History of Consciousness, History, Italian Studies, Jewish Studies, Language Studies, Linguistics, Literature, Middle Eastern and North African Studies, Philosophy, Spanish Studies
- You have work authorization. [required]
- You have studied Shakespeare’s works at the college level.
- You can write clearly, concisely, and to deadlines.
- You are well-organized, manage your time wisely, and can work independently on complex academic projects.
Preferred Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities
- Experience working with a unique archive of professional theater history in our region.
- The opportunity to work one-on-one with Professor Keilen in developing future projects using the Shakespeare Santa Cruz archive.
- The opportunity to contribute your research and writing to the mission of Shakespeare Workshop and the Santa Cruz Shakespeare summer season.
Position Term: Winter 2026–Spring 2026
Hours: 10 hours/week
Compensation: $20/hour
Mentorship: You will work closely with and report to Literature Professor Sean Keilen. They will delegate tasks, review your work, provide coaching, and help you understand professional research. You will meet to check in at least once per week
How To Apply
- Updated resume
-
1-page cover letter addressing:
- Why you’re interested in this role
- How your background and skills apply
- What you hope to gain from the experience
- Address your letter to Professor Keilen
Review these resume and cover letter resources to ensure you are a strong candidate! For application help, see Humanities Career Engagement.
Questions? Email Kylie Rachwalski at hum-experiential-learning@ucsc.edu
The Mellon Foundation, The Helen and Will Webster Foundation, The Humanities Institute, the UCSC Humanities Division, and private donors generously support the Humanities EXPLORE Program.
Misconduct Disclosure Requirement:
As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.
- “Misconduct” means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant’s previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC’s policies addressing some forms of misconduct: