Call for Applications: Bill and Lorna Chafe Postdoctoral Fellowship in Oral History and Social Justice

A recorder with the record button lit up sits on a wooden table.

The Duke Center for Documentary Studies (CDS) and Department of History invite applications for a two‑year Bill and Lorna Chafe Postdoctoral Fellowship in Oral History and Social Justice, beginning July 2026 and ending June 2028. 

This fellowship supports scholars who have earned a Ph.D. within the last two years, whose research is rooted in historical analysis, who engage with questions about social equity in both research and teaching, and who have strong grounding in the methods and practice of oral history. 

About the Fellowship

The fellow will teach two courses per year:

  • An introduction to oral history methods and practice
  • A course structured around an oral history project, ideally developed in partnership with a community organization, cultural institution, or history museum.

The fellow will take part in the intellectual life of CDS and the Department of History and assist in the development of collaborative projects that link history and CDS and draw on the talents of Duke students.

The position offers opportunities to engage with Duke communities committed to oral history practice, innovative modes of inquiry-based learning, and exploration of issues related to social justice. 

  • CDS and the Department of History have a long tradition of engagement with major oral history projects, most notably Beyond the Veil, which captured the experience of Blacks during the era of Jim Crow, and the SNCC Legacy Project, which explores the multifaceted efforts of Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee activists to expand civil and voting rights in the U.S. 
  • Duke Libraries have extensive expertise in assisting oral history work, with regard to Beyond the Veil and the SNCC Legacy Project, the multifaceted history of Duke, and a range of other initiatives. 
  • The Department of History has a vibrant Ph.D. program, and a number of faculty and students conduct oral histories as part of their research. 
  • Duke’s MFA in Experimental and Documentary Arts, like the CDS community more generally, brings together faculty and students interested in the many forms that documentary work can take, from photography and documentary film to podcasting and oral history. 
  • The Duke Human Rights Center at the Franklin Humanities Institute supports numerous projects examining social justice issues in Durham and elsewhere. 
  • Duke Community Affairs advances the work of local organizations and communities, in part by leveraging Duke resources, including curricular and co-curricular programs, to address community-defined priorities. 

The fellow will also have opportunities to link their work to Duke’s signature co-created, community-engaged projects, including Bass Connections, DukeEngage, and a cluster of summer “plus” programs. In addition to the duties specified, the fellow will serve as coordinator for the History+ program in Summer 2027. Additional compensation will be included for this work performed. 

Qualifications

Minimum qualifications: 

  • Completed Ph.D. in history or related field 
  • Background in high-level research that examines issues related to equity and social justice, broadly construed
  • Training in oral history methods and track record of oral history practice

Preferred qualifications: 

  • Demonstrated experience with the design and implementation of collaborative humanities/interpretive social science projects
  • Record of teaching excellence

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted via Academic Jobs Online and include:

  • Cover letter 
  • Curriculum vitae 
  • Writing sample (article or chapter-length) that draws on oral history 
  • Teaching statement 
  • Sample syllabus structured around oral history as method and practice 
  • Contact information for three letters of reference.

This position is not eligible for renewal after the two-year term.

Commitment to Inclusive Excellence

Duke University, CDS, and Department of History are strongly committed to advancing inclusive excellence throughout our research, educational, and service activities. We seek to hire scholars who are passionate about working to increase the participation and success of individuals from different backgrounds and communities.

Duke is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, (including pregnancy and pregnancy related conditions), sexual orientation, or military status.

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.