SAPIENS Public Scholars Training Fellowship

General

With the support of a three-year grant from the John Templeton Foundation, the SAPIENS Public Scholars Training Fellowship program guides anthropologists on accessible writing and podcasting for broad nonacademic audiences. The purpose of this fellowship program is to provide in-depth training for anthropologists in the craft of science communication and public scholarship—to transform their research into stories that engage in the public and spur them to rethink themselves and their world.

Applications for the fellowship program will be accepted each summer to select a yearly cohort of 10 fellows. Each year will present a particular theme, drawing primarily from the research areas around cultural evolution: the Wisdom of World Cultures (2022–2023); the Impacts of Technology (2023–2024); and Global Challenges, Cultural Opportunities (2024–2025).

Each fellow will be selected for the academic year (September 1 – May 31) and be expected to: (1) enthusiastically participate in regular Zoom meetings and trainings with their cohort; (2) pitch, develop, and publish at least one article for SAPIENS; (3) pitch, develop, and publish at least one article for another popular magazine; and (4) contribute to one SAPIENS Podcast episode, in collaboration with our production partner, House of Pod.

As part of this program, fellows will attend an exclusive quarterly keynote lecture by four renowned science writers and editors: Carl Zimmer, New York Times; Kate Wong, Scientific American; Samir Patel, Atlas Obscura; and Amanda Mascarelli, The Conversation.

We are especially interested in bringing historically marginalized voices—such as by race, ethnicity, gender identity, class, geography, or ability—to the center of public conversations.

Fellowship Benefits

Benefits of the fellowship include deepening skills in popular writing and podcasting, individual mentoring with SAPIENS staff and partners, an expanded professional network, public recognition for one’s research, and a US$2,500 award on the fellowship’s completion.

Application

The application deadline is July 15 annually, 2022-2024, to begin the September immediately following. It takes us two weeks to complete the review process and arrive at a final decision.

Applicants must be pursuing a research area that addresses the year’s theme and cannot defer an offer of fellowship to a subsequent year. Successful applicants can only receive the fellowship one time; however, unsuccessful applicants may apply for the next cycle.

Eligibility

Applicants must be either an ABD Ph.D. student currently enrolled in an anthropology degree program, have a Ph.D. in anthropology, and/or have an appointment in an anthropology department. Qualified applicants of any nationality or institutional affiliation may apply.

Criteria of Evaluation

Selection will be based on four criteria:

1. Quality of the applicant’s research and its potential contribution to anthropological knowledge, theory, and debate
2. Convergence of the applicant’s research with the year’s theme
3. Applicant’s potential as an engaged public scholar
4. Degree to which the applicant’s background, perspective, and experience will enrich the diversity of SAPIENS Magazine and selected cohort

Application Procedures

To present your proposal in the best possible light, closely follow all the procedures for completing your application. If you have any questions, contact us at editor•sapiens.org or 212.683.5000.

The application asks the following:

• Name
• Email
• Short Bio (up to 100 words)
• Academic credentials (anthropology student/degree completed/appointments)
• Upload two-page CV (Word or PDF)
• Describe your research and its potential contribution to anthropological knowledge, theory, and debate (up to 300 words)
• Describe your interest in the year’s theme: The Wisdom of World Cultures (2022–2023); The Impacts of Technology (2023–2024); and Global Challenges, Cultural Opportunities (2024–2025) (up to 200 words)
• Describe your interest in and/or contributions to engaged public scholarship (up to 200 words)
• SAPIENS is committed to bringing historically marginalized voices—such as by race, ethnicity, gender identity, class, geography, or ability—to the center of public conversations. If applicable, please describe how your background, perspective, or research contribute to this goal (up to 100 words)

By submitting your application, if selected, you are agreeing to SAPIENS’ Terms of Use—and to collaboratively work together with your colleagues, SAPIENS editorial team, and project partners in a timely, responsive, and respectful manner.

Please do not send any other materials beyond what the application requests. Do not send transcripts, letters of recommendation, manuscripts, publications, photographs, or recordings. We will not use this material in the review process, and we cannot return it to you.

Applicants must create a Submittable account and submit through the portal here.