Oaxacan Languages of the Transnational Central Coast (The Humanities Institute)
We encourage work-study and non-work-study students to apply.
Fellowship Term: January 2026-June 2026
Application Deadline: November 9, 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.
Details
Duration: January 2026-June 2026 (possible extension through Summer 2026)
Hours: 10 hours/week
Pay: $20/hour
Mentorship: Regular check-ins and support from Professor Pranav Anand (Linguistics Professor and Faculty Director of The Humanities Institute) and THI Graduate Public Fellows: Carla Soto (Education PhD Student), Eli Sharf (Linguistics PhD Student), and Matthew Kogan (Linguistics PhD Student).
About the project
The Oaxacan Languages of the Transnational Central Coast project is a team-based community-engaged research project housed at The Humanities Institute that involves faculty, graduate students, and undergraduates, as well as mentors at Senderos, the Santa Cruz Museum of Art and History (MAH), and Special Collections and the Community Archiving program at the UCSC Library. The team will design an exhibition on Latine/o/x language and identity in the Central Coast, set for Spring 2027 at the MAH. This year, undergraduates will collaborate with graduate students on research that will serve as the basis for the exhibition, and possibly a pop-up trial exhibition in Spring 2026.
What You’ll Do
Students will assist in research around four interlocking themes: a) language science, b) Indigenous Oaxacan languages, c) language and identity, and d) language and history. Through the research, discussions, and team meetings, students will be exposed to contemporary work in these areas.
Tasks may include: archival research, constructing fieldwork or interview scripts, assisting with English/Spanish translation during interviews, transcription and analysis of linguistic data in Spanish and indigenous Oaxacan languages, assisting with the construction and display of psycholinguistic experiments, and tabling at community events.
- (60%) conduct community-engaged research: complete scholarly background reading, contribute to the group discussions on meetings, design interview and survey protocols, transcribe and analyze data collected
- (20%) Administrative duties: attend weekly meetings, log work hours, participate in community outreach events
- (20%) As needed tasks: work on educational or exhibition materials, develop communication materials for the project, assist with research logistics
- Humanities EXPLORE Programming: Attend a quarterly meeting when possible and participate in asynchronous Canvas experiential learning reflection.
Eligibility & Qualifications
- You are an undergraduate student at UC Santa Cruz in good academic standing and will be enrolled through June 2026. (required)
- You have work authorization (required)
- You can work independently and collaboratively (required)
- You should have a strong foundation and a keen desire to develop understanding in at least one of these three areas:
- linguistic fieldwork
- psychology of language
- multilingualism
- Students with a background in research on Indigenous, Latine, and transnational populations are especially encouraged to apply (preferred)
- Spanish language proficiency would be an asset (preferred)
What You’ll Learn
Through this project, students will develop their teamwork skills and be exposed to community-engaged research, working as part of a large group across the university and community. They will enhance their critical thinking about language and identity, and learn how to effectively communicate that understanding for diverse audiences.
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 Pranav Anand
Review these resume and cover letter resources to ensure you are a strong candidate! For application help, see Humanities Career Engagement.
Questions? Email Saskia Nauenberg Dunkell, Research Programs and Communications Director at The Humanities Institute at saskia@ucsc.edu
The Humanities EXPLORE program is led by the Humanities Division, with strategic support from The Humanities Institute and private donors. It is funded by the Mellon Foundation, The Helen and Will Webster Foundation, and private donors.
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: