Research Fellow for A Tale of Two Ships: Part Deux
NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources
POSITION DESCRIPTION: Research Fellow for A Tale of Two Ships: Part Deux
A project of the North Carolina African American Heritage Commission
About the NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources
The Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) vision is to be the leader in using the state's natural and cultural resources to build the social, cultural, educational, and economic future of North Carolina. Our mission is to improve the quality of life in our state by creating opportunities to experience excellence in the arts, history, libraries, and nature in North Carolina by stimulating learning, inspiring creativity, preserving the state's history, conserving the state's natural heritage, encouraging recreation and cultural tourism, and promoting economic development.
North Carolina State Shipwreck Site 31CR314: Queen Anne’s Revenge/La Concorde
The NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources is responsible for the management, protection, preservation, investigation and presentation of state shipwreck site 31CR314. The remains of this early 18th century wreck have been identified as the remains of Blackbeard the pirate’s flagship – Queen Anne’s Revenge, which was previously a French slave ship, La Concorde. It was captured by the pirates and renamed, at the end of 1717. The vessel ran aground and was abandoned off Beaufort Inlet in June 1718. Since 2004, the shipwreck site has been on the National Register of Historic Places.
DNCR’s Office of State Archaeology undertakes field operations at the site, and its QAR Lab, is tasked with conservation, documentation, and investigation of artifacts -both those in situ and recovered from the wreck site. Since 2003, the QAR Lab, under a 2002-partnership agreement with East Carolina University (ECU) is in Greenville, NC, at ECU’s West Research Campus. Archaeological investigations, including conservation of artifacts, is undertaken in accordance with professional archaeological and archaeological conservation guidelines and standards of practice. On completion of work at the QAR Lab, artifacts are transferred to the designated long-term repository at DNCR Maritime Museum (NCMM) in Beaufort, for exhibition and curation.
About the NC African American Heritage Commission
The North Carolina General Assembly created the African American Heritage Commission (AAHC) in 2008 to "assist the Secretary of Cultural Resources in the preservation, interpretation, and promotion of African American history, arts, and culture." The commission works across the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, the state, and region to achieve the mission of preserving, protecting, and promoting North Carolina's African American history, arts, and culture, for all people. Key to fulfilling this mission is communicating inclusive stories and information to a broad, diverse audience. As such, the AAHC strives to serve audiences across a variety of platforms, including: literature, the web, social media, various forms of mass communication, public programs, and traveling exhibitions.
The AAHC works to serve its stakeholders by providing technical assistance to African American heritage practitioners and organizations across North Carolina. The AAHC also sponsors, supports, and partners with organizations producing African American-centered heritage events through the state. Finally, the AAHC administers initiatives with statewide impact.
A Tale of Two Ships Project
A Tale of Two Ships: Part Deux is a federal project funded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), led by the AAHC. This project will explore how Afro-descended people aboard LaC moved about the Atlantic World. Additionally, this project will investigate, through site visits and intellectual exchanges with scholars and public humanities professionals, how spaces and places deeply connected to the history of the Global Slave Trade share, commemorate, and interpret this history. The research identified will inform and shape future interpretive possibilities at state-owned cultural institutions, while site visits and scholar exchanges will help the AAHC gather, consider, and adopt relevant interpretive strategies.
Primary Purpose of Position
The primary purpose of this position is to act as a history Research Fellow for A Tale of Two Ships: Part Deux. The Research Fellow will be charged with the principal duty of performing archival research in Nantes, France and the island of Martinque to investigate further the scope and potential of international archives for more about the origins of LaC, its provisioning and people. The Research Fellow will also engage in site visits on the island of Guadeloupe to gain insight and benchmark international best practices for interpreting the Global Slave Trade at monuments, museums and historic sites. Finally, the Research Fellow will develop scholarship, resources, programs, and digital content, based on their research.
The History Research Fellow will do the following:
• Perform archival research in Nantes, France to (1) investigate further the scope and potential of French archives for more about the origins of LaC, as well as its provisioning, and peoples and to (2) consult with and develop contacts with conservators, curators, archaeologists, and educators with similar research interests.
• Perform archival research in Martinique to (1) learn more about the fate of those held captive aboard LaC and to (2) consult with and develop contacts with conservators, curators, archaeologists, and educators with similar research interests.
• Execute site visits in Guadeloupe to (1) consult with and develop contacts with conservators, curators, archaeologists, and educators with similar research interests and to (2) gain insight and benchmark international best practices for interpreting the Global Slave Trade at monuments, museums and historic sites.
• Contribute to writing a white paper summarizing best practices in international archival research and education to interpret the history of the Global Slave Trade in the Southeastern United States.
• Prepare one scholarly journal article on research findings, to be submitted to the NC Historical Review or the Journal on African American History.
• Develop an academic conference paper or poster presentation centered around research findings; present paper or poster at one (1) conference in 2023.
• Support the planning and implementation of two (2) project convenings: one two-day internal staff interpretation workshop, and one scholars’ symposium.
• Support the development of digital content designed to share a more comprehensive understanding of LaC.
• Contribute to project internal and progress reports.
Requirements
• Demonstrated experience conducting academic historical research. Must have the ability to analyze and interpret primary and secondary source materials in various settings.
• Must have the ability to read French.
• Excellent writing and public speaking skills required.
• Must have the ability to manage communication with various departments/channels, including: AAHC and QAR Lab staff, NCMM, and other state agencies.
• Valid driver’s license, ability to travel within the state of North Carolina and work some evenings weekends, for meetings, research and events, required.
• Passport (or ability to procure one) required.
• Must have the ability to work both independently and as a team member. As well as having excellent time- and project management skills.
Management Prefers
• Ability to speak, read and write French.
• Currently enrolled at, or recently graduated from, an HBCU or MIHE.
• Graduate student with demonstrated experience studying the 18th century U.S. History, African American history, Africana Studies, the Global Slave Trade, the 18th century Atlantic World or Material Culture of the Middle Passage, Public History, anthropology, archaeology or Maritime Studies.
• Knowledge of and experience researching African American history and the Global Slave Trade.
• Demonstrated experience planning and implementing programs for public audiences.
Minimum Education & Experience Requirements
A master's degree in history with one year of experience in a related graduate program; or a master’s degree in history with two years of progressive experience in a historical agency that has included research experience.
-OR-
An equivalent combination of training and experience.
Nature of Supervision Given
• Research Fellow will report to project Principal Investigator.
• Research Fellow will be based at QAR Lab in Greenville, NC and will be under the daily supervision of LC/QAR Shipwreck Project Senior Conservator/Lead Archaeologist.
Hours & Compensation
• This is a part-time role at 20 hours/week. Fellow will be compensated $25.40/hour.
• Fellowship duration: 20 months (January 2023-October 2024); this includes travel required for trainings/orientations, outreach and education events and conferences. (Due to nature of position, one month of furlough is required.)
• Project’s budget will provide additional funds for expenses, including for travel and conferences.
• If needed, support will be provided for arranging housing and transportation.
To Apply:
Submit resume, cover letter and transcript to ncaahc@ncdcr.gov. Please use subject line TOTS Research Fellow.
Application Deadline: 6:00 p.m. on Friday, December 23, 2022.