As part of the Gallaudet University Research and Teaching Diversity Initiative, this competitive Scholar program is designed to facilitate the academic career development of deaf/hh faculty. The Research and Teaching Scholars program develops educational leaders and scholars through intensive research collaboration sessions, mentored projects, a network of educational colleagues, and collaborative learning.

Gallaudet recognizes both the desire and the desirability of aspiring and established scholars at various stages of their professional careers to affiliate with the university in a capacity other than as a faculty member, research staff or student for the purposes of contributing to the university’s research mission as well as pursuing their own academic interests. To accommodate this type of relationship the university has established the position of University Research and Teaching Scholar. The appointment of a University Scholar can be at various ranks: Scholar, Senior Scholar, and Distinguished Scholar.

Research Scholars will be expected to work closely with a faculty sponsor whose role will be to mentor the graduate student through the development of grantsmanship and scholarly writing. In addition to developing research writing skills, Research Scholars have opportunities to work with the research teams on research design, methods, and data analysis. The Research Scholar would participate in research and grant writing activities that align with the Scholar and faculty mentor’s interests, while developing and strengthening the Scholar’s research agenda in related areas.

Teaching Scholars will be expected to teach two courses per semester, under close mentorship of a faculty member in the assigned School. In addition to developing teaching skills, Teaching Scholars have opportunities to participate in collaborative learning and co-author manuscripts for publication. The Teaching Scholar would participate in reduced load teaching and collaborate in a faculty lab to write papers for publication.

Research and Teaching Scholars who wish to have both research and teaching experiences can ask for a custom plan to spend one full semester on writing a grant proposal and another semester on teaching courses. For all scholars, when a faculty position opens, the Scholar may apply for this position but is not guaranteed an offer.

Senior Scholar: Faculty member on paid leave from their home institution within the U.S. or internationally wishing to collaborate with an individual member of Gallaudet’s faculty or a set of colleagues within an academic department, research center or institute, or a laboratory group.

Distinguished Scholar: highly accomplished engineer, scholar or scientist, for example a member of a national academy or learned society, from another university, an industrial research organization, or a national laboratory, who wishes to continue their research and teaching agenda in collaboration with colleagues at Gallaudet.

Senior and Distinguished Scholars and the university mutually benefit from their appointment by formal recognition of the fellow’s affiliation with the university and from the contribution that a Scholar can make in advancing Gallaudet’s research mission as a member of research intensive institutions of higher education. For this reason, no compensation or monetary remuneration will be provided. The Senior and Distinguished Scholars will have access to research resources and labs. The Fellows will also serve as a resource in developing and preparing research proposals.

Eligibility for Teaching or Research Scholar

  • Must be a candidate (completed proposal defense by time of hire) in a doctoral program.
  • The fellowship is for deaf, hard of hearing, and DeafBlind students. Students of Latinx, African American, American Indian/Native American, Filipinx, Pacific Islander or Asian American descent are encouraged to apply.
  • Must be fluent in ASL
  • Must have passed their qualifying exam and have advanced to candidacy by the start of the fellowship.
  • U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or AB 540.
  • Must demonstrate a record of advancing issues of inclusion, equity, and diversity; active support of underrepresented communities; and a commitment to pursuing these efforts throughout their career.
  • Are expected to work on campus for the duration of their fellowship. Extenuating circumstances may be considered.

Support for Research or Teaching Scholar

  • $36,000 stipend for PhD candidates; $50,000 to $60,000 for Postdocs with 0-2 years of experience post-graduation.
  • Office space and computer use
  • If funded with the University’s endowment fund, all appointments are at a maximum of one year and can be renewed. If grant-funded, then the length of appointment is at the discretion of the principal investigator.

Application for Research or Teaching Scholar

Application must include:

  • Curriculum Vitae (CV), including your ASL proficiency level
  • 300 word statement of scholarship goals
  • 300 word statement of student’s record of and commitment to issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion
  • 300 word abstract of dissertation
  • Verification of candidacy or advisor’s note indicating effective candidacy date
  • Transcript

Expectations of a Research or Teaching Scholar:

  • Research scholars are expected to complete a grant submission in collaboration with faculty in their respective fields and/or publish manuscripts to support a grant application in their respective fields.
  • Teaching scholars are expected to complete, present and/or publish a scholarly product focusing explicitly on curriculum development or an aspect of Deaf Education research.

Applications will be screened by the Principal Investigator and the Offices of the Provost and the Dean of the Faculty. The Scholar reports to the Special Assistant to Provost for Research (if university funded) or Principal Investigator (if grant funded) and works with the Director of the School that the Scholar is assigned to.