Research Fellow in Reproductive Justice History and Popular Political Education

If you have any questions about the position or our application process, reach out to us at recruiting-u@smith.edu.

Are you a historian committed to social justice in the here-and-now? The Reproductive Justice History Project seeks a productive researcher and writer who communicates scholarship to general audiences effectively and is eager to place little-known stories of organizing for body autonomy in the hands of movement leaders today.

Job Summary

The Roots of Reproductive Justice History Project seeks a historian of women, gender and sexuality to research and produce content for a website that traces movements for body autonomy across the full span of U.S. history. This fixed-term position (end date June 30, 2027) can be full- or part-time with options for remote work.

The Project is developing Roots of Reproductive Justice: 500 Years of Movement Stories, a digital toolkit that features stories of low-income, queer, and Indigenous people and women of color struggling for sexual and gender freedom and reproductive health and rights as they organize around many issues -- colonization and sovereignty, poverty and immigration, adoption and foster care, sexual violence and gender criminalization, disability and environment, as well as contraception, sterilization, abortion and health care.

The Project is based in the Program for the Study of Women, Gender and Sexuality at Smith College. It is a collaboration with Collective Power for Reproductive Justice and movement leaders who plan to use Roots of RJ in community education, leadership and strategy development, and organizing campaigns. The toolkit is expected to launch in 2027.

Essential Functions:

• (75%)Research and write stories in narrative style for a general audience
• (10%)Find images and primary documents to illustrate stories
• (15%)Work with core team members on overall content direction and priori ties, learning objectives and methodology, and design of curricular resources and action tools

Minimum Qualifications: Required [education, experience, knowledge, skills]

• Ph.D. in the history of women, gender, and sexuality or a related discipline, or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Broad knowledge of social movements with specialization in the experiences and activism of communities marginalized by sex, gender, and reproductive inequities
• Strong research skills, including research with primary sources
• Strong writing and storytelling skills, including demonstrated ability to deliver complex ideas in formats that are accessible to multiple audiences
• Demonstrated ability to work within and across movement spaces comprised of people with multiple social, racial and economic identities
• Track record of meeting deadlines and working collaboratively as part of a team

Qualifications: Preferred [other valuable skills/experience]

• Editing skills
• Experience with social justice movements
• Experience with popular education methodologies

Terms:

We will begin reviewing applications July 1

How to apply:

Please submit a cover letter, curriculum vitae, and two short writing samples.

Review of applications will begin

Position Type:

Located in Northampton, MA, Smith College is one of the largest women's colleges in the country and is dedicated to excellence in teaching and research across the liberal arts. A faculty of outstanding scholars interact with students in small classes, as advisors, and through student-faculty research projects. The College is a member of the Five College Consortium with Amherst, Hampshire and Mt. Holyoke Colleges, and the University of Massachusetts Amherst.Students cross-enroll and faculty cross-teach across the Five Colleges.

Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 151B, it is the policy of Smith College to provide reasonable accommodation when requested by a qualified applicant or employee with a disability, unless such accommodation would cause an undue hardship. The policy regarding requests for reasonable accommodation applies to all aspects of employment, including the application process. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact our recruiting team at recruiting-u@smith.edu.

As set forth in our mission and values, Smith College is committed to promoting a culture of equity and inclusion among students, staff and faculty. The College will not discriminate in employment on the basis of age, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, genetic information, age, veteran status, physical or mental disability, or any other classification protected by law. Smith College is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all state and federal laws that prohibit discrimination.