CFA: Intra-American Slave Trade Database Summer Research Internship Program

Call for Applications

Application Deadline: April 17th, 2024

The 2024 program runs full time, from July 1 to August 2, 2024 (five weeks). 

Participating students will spend the first three weeks working at the University of California Santa Cruz. At UCSC, we will learn about the slave trade, the Intra-American Slave Trade Database, and relevant research methods. Interns will also apply new research skills on digitized sources. 

Then, the final two weeks of the program take student interns to the “Research Triangle” area of North Carolina for archival research (with travel, room, and board provided). Student interns will scour records in the North Carolina State Archive (Raleigh) and University of North Carolina’s rare book and manuscript collection, “Documenting the American South” (Chapel Hill) to investigate enslaved people’s forced migrations both to and from the colony and state of North Carolina. In the process, student interns will gain an introduction to archival research in original sources.

Participating student interns will gain knowledge and research experience, while receiving mentorship towards potential careers in history or related fields. The internship will teach research and data management skills, while exposing student interns to graduate level research and help them connect with numerous faculty at the University of California’s many campuses. 

Student interns receive: 

• $20 per hour for 40 hours a week of work for 5 weeks
• paid travel to the research sites in North Carolina
• dorm rooms and meals while traveling to North Carolina for research

Responsibilities and Expectations:

• Participate in (paid) training on creating database entries (10%)
• Research in online sources to create database entries (45%)
• Attend lectures, programming, and historical site visits with the research team to contextualize the research (10%)
• Conduct archival research in North Carolina (35%)

Eligibility:

• Students must be currently enrolled at UCSC.
• All majors are welcome to apply, but preference may be given to students with relevant coursework, research experience, or academic interests.
• Applicants must be available to complete the full program from July 1 to August 2, 2024, including travel to North Carolina.

Application Process

Please complete an application that contains the following materials:

1. Interested students will apply via Handshake Job #8847381. All application materials should be submitted via Handshake.  
2. A 1-2 page letter of application that describes your academic background, interest in history, and how this experience will contribute to your academic and career goals.
3. An unofficial transcript.
4. A reference – please include the name and contact information of a professor who can speak to your academic interests and abilities.
5. A resume/CV outlining your work experience (academic or otherwise).

The deadline for receipt of all application materials is April 17th, 2024. Materials received after this deadline cannot be guaranteed consideration. For more information contact Dr. Gregory E. O’Malley, Professor of History at UC Santa Cruz: gomalley@ucsc.edu.