Call for Applications: Humanities EXPLORE Undergraduate Research Fellowship with Professor Jonathan Ellis, 2025
Research Assistant: Technology. Ethics. Questions. (Philosophy)
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 Division and The Humanities Institute are excited to announce an experiential learning opportunity for undergraduates at UC Santa Cruz to work with Philosophy Professor Jonathan Ellis.
The Humanities Experiential Learning Opportunities in Research (EXPLORE) Program connects Humanities majors and minors to faculty-led research projects in the division. EXPLORE Fellows are mentored by faculty members to develop skills and knowledge to help them make an impactful intellectual or creative contribution to their field. Students gain practical experience and professional training that builds on their studies in the Humanities. At the same time, faculty benefit from students’ assistance and academic expertise.
Applicants must have a declared or proposed major or minor in the Humanities Division at the time of their application to be eligible. Please see the Humanities Division majors and minors list to check your eligibility before applying.
About the TEQ Deck: Technology. Ethics. Questions.
In collaboration with the Baskin School of Engineering, the Center for Public Philosophy is creating a deck of cards to catalyze conversations about ethics and technology. Each card presents a pressing ethical question arising from recent, emerging, anticipated, or possible technological advances — genetic engineering, AI and machine learning, social algorithms, astrobiology, etc.
TEQ deck is designed for use in structured learning environments (e.g., in high schools, colleges, and industry) and social gatherings with friends. Cards do not tell players what to think. They're a playful way to stimulate dialogue on critical issues.
For more information on the project, including sample cards, go here and here.
Position Description:
RESPONSIBILITIES AND EXPECTATIONS
- Research for content development (26%): Generating ideas and drafting written content for new cards. This will be done both individually and sometimes collaboratively.
- Writing (40%): Researching and developing content for web pages associated with individual cards.
- Collaboration (20%): meeting with the faculty mentor and others working on the project to discuss and revise. (This includes soliciting ideas from others (students, faculty, others) for cards and content for web pages.
- Miscellaneous (15%): depending on the candidate’s interest and as possibilities arise, e.g., organizing student discussions and brainstorming sessions, leading one-off discussions on or off campus using the TEQ Deck, collaborating with partner units on the project (including units on campus and non-profits); outreach to industry
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]
- Enthusiastic
- Passionate about ethics and philosophy (broadly construed), and critical thinking, and about sharing insight into its importance and relevance
- Collaborative and open-minded; eager to develop their strengths and acquire new skills and experiences; aware that one’s strengths and skills can always be developed further
- Organized and attentive to detail
- Demonstrated proficiency with communication skills
Preferred Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities
- Experience working with others on team projects
- Experience with inquiry and/or knowledge of assorted current developments in technology
Position Term: Winter 2025–Spring 2025 (January-June)
Hours: 10 hours/week
Compensation: $20/hour
Mentorship: You will work closely with and report to Philosophy Professor Jonathan Ellis. He 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
Apply By Submitting
- Your updated resume
- A short cover letter (no more than one page) answering these questions: Why are you interested in this position? How does your academic expertise and skillset prepare you for this role? What are you hoping to gain from this opportunity?
- A writing sample (this may but need not be work you’ve done for a class).
REVIEW these resume and cover letter resources to ensure you are a strong candidate! For application help, see Humanities Career Engagement.
- Address your cover letter to Professor Ellis
Once the application window closes, there will be an interview process with top candidates. This job is expected to start in January.
Please contact the EXPLORE Program coordinator, Kylie Rachwalski, at hum-experiential-learning@ucsc.edu with any questions.
The Mellon Foundation, The Helen and Will Webster Foundation, The Humanities Institute, and the UCSC Humanities Division generously support the Humanities EXPLORE Program.
