The Boundary End Archaeology Research Center (BEARC) is seeking candidates to become the 2021-22 George Stuart Residential Scholar(s) (GSRS) for the academic year. Candidates may apply for either one or two semester-long residencies, but two semester-long residencies are preferred. The Fall residency spans September 1-December 30. The Spring residency spans January 1-May 30.
BEARC is a research center and residential library located in Barnardsville, NC, a 25-min drive from Asheville and a 2-min walk from the Big Ivy Section of the Pisgah National Forest. BEARC is dedicated to the study of the ancient Americas with foci on Mesoamerica, the Andes, and the Southeastern U.S.A. Its sizable library collection (of 10,000+ books, periodicals, and miscellaneous publications) is dedicated to the archaeology, linguistics, art history, history, ethnohistory, and ethnology of those world areas. The ideal candidate for the GSRS program:
– studies in one of our academic fields and regions of study (see above).
– is either (1) a graduate student at the writing stage of their thesis/dissertation or (2) a recent Ph.D. seeking to complete writing projects such as postdoctoral research, a monograph, or a series of articles.
– is seeking a peaceful and quiet setting away from most distractions for finishing up their writing project(s).
– is autonomous, ready to live in a rural area, and preferably owns a car.
– is well-organized, willing to contribute to BEARC’s activities (see below), and is committed to expanding upon George Stuart’s science outreach and public education legacy.
This residential scholarship offers free comfortable amenities (including a private bedroom) in the newly renovated George Stuart Residential Library, a uniquely beautiful office and work environment, along with unlimited access to all the resources of the library. No stipend is attached to the position; however, there are potential opportunities for teaching courses at local universities (e.g., UNC-Asheville and Warren Wilson College).
The residential library features two bedrooms and can easily accommodate two GSRS’s who wish to apply jointly, but will otherwise only accept one GSRS at a time for reasons of space and privacy. Couples are welcome to apply. If applying jointly, two distinct applications should be sent, but please note in the application cover letters that they are being submitted jointly. A spouse or dependent can also be housed in the residential library (also mention this in the cover letter). All candidates should have working English proficiency, but we welcome candidates whose primary or research language is different, such as Spanish.
Residential scholars will have a set of BEARC-related responsibilities amounting to 5-10 hours of weekly work. Their responsibilities may include:
– contributing to the organization and cataloguing of our library resources. This involves working with volunteers one day a week (once the health crisis is over).
– helping with the limited, daily operations of the center. This involves basic mail, email, social media, website management, and occasional minor physical work.
– building upon George Stuart’s science outreach legacy by pursuing local public lecture opportunities, helping with the organization of workshops and other public-facing BEARC activities, and maintaining a reasonable open-door policy for other members of the research center and for occasional visitors (M-F, 10am-4pm).
– being willing to share the working space with an occasional short-term Visiting Scholar.
To apply, candidates should send a C.V. and a 1-2-page cover letter outlining: (1) their proposed project; (2) their fit as a GSRS; (3) how they would use the BEARC resources; and (4) for which semesters they are applying. Combine both items into a single PDF and email it (or any questions) to boundaryendcenter@gmail.com by March 26, 2021. Review of applications will begin on March 27.
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