The Mahindra Humanities Center at Harvard University invites applications for five one-year postdoctoral fellowships on the topic of the environmental humanities, drawn from any humanistic discipline. We interpret the environmental humanities in the broadest terms, to include all parts of the world and historical eras. Topics may include (but are not limited to) humanistic approaches to climate change, biodiversity, social justice, environmental justice, food justice, regenerative practices, gardening, landscape, urban foraging, health, and animal studies.

We welcome applications from scholars in all fields whose work innovatively engages with the environment and the humanities. In addition to pursuing their own research projects, fellows will be core participants in the bi-weekly seminar meetings for both academic semesters of the fellowship. Other participants will include faculty and graduate students from Harvard and other universities in the region, and occasional visiting speakers. Fellows will also be encouraged to engage with the Center’s existing Environment Forum and the Center’s new initiative, the Intergenerational Humanities (I-HUM) Project on the theme of “Place and Planet.” 

Applicants for 2022-23 fellowships must have received a doctorate or terminal degree in or after May 2019. Applicants without a doctorate or terminal degree must demonstrate that they have completed all requirements for a terminal degree (i.e. dissertation defense) by August 1, 2022. Scholars from outside the United States are appointed under either the J-1 visa (Research Scholar status) or F-1 OPT (Optional Practical Training), depending on their circumstances. If awarded a fellowship, the term of appointment for international scholars is September 1, 2022-August 31, 2023.