Call for Applications: Humanities EXPLORE Research Fellowship with Professor Dimitris Papadopoulos–2025-2026

The Visual Making of the Pajaro and Salinas Valleys (History of Consciousness)

We encourage work-study and non-work-study students to apply. This internship is only open to undergraduate students with a declared or proposed Humanities major or minor and requires work authorization.

Application Deadline: May 26, 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: Fall 2025 and Winter 2026

Hours: 5-10 hours/week (1 day per week)

Pay: $20/hour

Mentorship: Regular check-ins and support from Professor Dimitris Papadopoulos (History of Consciousness)

About the project

This project aims to study the visual histories of the Pajaro and Salinas Valleys. We will analyze a large dataset of photographs to illuminate how the intricate interplay between science, technology, agriculture, and the escalating ecological crises, alongside histories of colonization, transnational labor movements, and the evolving socio-cultural composition, has forged the current visual construction of this region over time.

The main stages of the project will be as follows:

Collaborative teamwork to create common milestones and project timeframes.
Engage with academic literature concerning visual research methodology and the history and contemporary life of the Pajaro and Salinas Valleys.
Maintain and expand existing photographic database.
Analysis of collected images' social, cultural, historical, technoscientific, and ecological dimensions.
Document the findings of the analysis, employing a range of writing practices.

What You’ll Do

As a student researcher, you’ll meet weekly with the faculty mentor to check in on progress, troubleshoot challenges, and plan next steps. You’ll work both independently and as part of a team. Along the way, you’ll gain hands-on experience in visual research, social and cultural analysis, and managing visual data. You’ll also deepen your understanding of key historical and current issues shaping Santa Cruz, Monterey, and the broader Central Coast region.

Project Coordination (5%) – Collaborate with the research team to carry out agreed-upon tasks.
Archival Research (5%) – Conduct hands-on research in both online and local archives across Santa Cruz and Monterey Counties.
Data Management (5%) – Maintain a digital database and classification system that stores collected images and related information.
Historical Surveys (20%) – Read and summarize scholarly sources related to the project’s themes, especially visual research methods as well as the histories of the Pajaro and Salinas valleys.
Visual Analysis (40%) –
Writing & Creative Synthesis (20%) – Produce detailed written reports and create a series of vignettes (such as short descriptive pieces and narrative scenes) on the findings of the analysis.
Humanities EXPLORE Programming (5%): Attend a quarterly meeting when possible and participate in asynchronous Canvas experiential learning reflection.

Eligibility & Qualifications

You must be a declared or proposed major or minor in a Humanities Division department and have good academic standing. If proposed, declare by June.
- 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 can work independently and collaboratively (required)
You have experience in engaging with visual data and photographic images (required).
You are interested in learning more about the social and environmental issues affecting the Pajaro and Salinas Valleys in the Central Coast of California.
You are interested in AI-based research methods in visual research within the humanities.
You are ready to conduct hands-on research, including visiting archives, exploring online or social media sources, conducting visual analysis, and writing up findings.
You can travel within Santa Cruz or Monterey County on weekdays or weekends (up to 8 hours). Travel costs are covered, and you can also use the Humanities Division’s ZipCar fund for free if needed (and you have a driver’s license).
You enjoy working as part of a team and can collaborate well with others.

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
Provide a writing sample of your own work (minimum 800 words)
Address your letter to Professor Dimitris Papadopoulos

Review these resume and cover letter resources to ensure you are a strong candidate! For application help, see Humanities Career Engagement.

APPLY NOW

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: