Special Collections Department Offers Fellowship

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Mayor Lioneld Jordan

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Are you planning a research project on the topics of labor or working class studies using the materials at the special collections department of the University of Arkansas Libraries? A new fellowship may help cover related expenses. Special collections is now accepting applications for the Lioneld Jordan Fellowship in Labor and Working Class Studies, which conveys reimbursement of expenses for up to $500 incurred while using the special collections department’s Arkansas labor history, labor culture, labor education, labor lore, occupational folk life, trade union traditions, and worker culture collections during the period of May 1, 2011, to April 30, 2012.

The fellowship is intended to encourage innovative study in the historical problems, identities, philosophies, and especially, the expressive cultures of working people in Arkansas. A special purpose of the fellowship is to support research that will result in publications (traditional or online) from scholars who are exploring important, innovative topics relative to the lives of working people that might fall outside of the parameters of traditional academic research and funding.

The stipend can be used for any purpose related to the research project, including reproduction of materials, oral history interviewing, and traveling and lodging. Documentation will be required for reimbursements.

Applicants may be from any relevant academic discipline, including but not limited to anthropology, art, communications studies, cultural studies, drama, English, folklore, geography, history, journalism, labor studies, literature, political science, sociology, or gender studies.

The Lioneld Jordan Fellowship in Labor and Working Class Studies has been established to honor the leadership and vision of Lioneld Jordan, the current mayor of Fayetteville, Ark. Jordan was an undergraduate student at the University of Arkansas, a carpenter with the university department of facilities management (previously known as the physical plant) for 26 years, president of Local 965 of the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, president of the Northwest Arkansas Labor Council, and an advocate for the interests of working families.

For more information, or instructions on how to apply, please contact the Jordan Fellowship Committee at 479-575-5577 or specoll@uark.edu.